WILL PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES BE EFFECTIVE IN A CROWDED FIELD?

The Kenya Presidential Debates that are being organized by the media and set to kick off on November 26^th  may be one of the ways of interrogating how our presidential aspirants plan to implement their various manifestos if elected into office. We are in the era where we no longer need to be hoodwinked by colorful manifestos and blue prints which promise us heaven on earth without spelling out real roadmaps and means to achieve the same.

The core objectives of such debates are;

    -      to inform and involve voters in the political process

    -      to promote an issue based culture of political dialogue

    -      to shape the electorate to vote character and vision

The US presidential and vice presidential debates date back to the 1858 between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. The Commission on Presidential Debates oversees this process and ensures that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. Its primary purpose is to sponsor and produce debates for the United States presidential and vice presidential candidates and to undertake research and educational activities relating to the debates.

It is a good thing that Kenya has finally decided to embrace this culture of debates. However it is quite a concern that we may not exhaustively engage the aspirants on the issues of national concern due to two issues:

1.      We do not have an incredible national debating commission or institute to undertake research and highlight areas of concern by the electorate and compile a list of debate questions.

2.      Our field of aspirants is so overcrowded that if it remains so then I am afraid the debates will not be effective and therefore will not meet their intended objectives. In short they will only be a mere parade of hopefuls.

(Currently in the race are Raila Odinga,  Uhuru Kenyatta,  Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, William Ruto, Charity Ngilu, Eugine Wamalwa and Moses Wetangula. Others are MPs Martha Karua , Peter Kenneth, Mutava Musyimi, and former Permanent Secretary Prof James Ole Kiyiapi.)