adminMillions of Kenyans watched and listened to Monday’s debate, broadcast live on national television, as well as YouTube.
Raila Odinga, the Kenyan prime minister, and his deputy Uhuru Kenyatta, who faces trial for crimes against humanity, were seen as the favourites in the vote.
During the debate, Kenyatta insisted that the crimes against humanity charges he faced at the International Criminal Court would not hinder him from running the country.
Kenyatta, the deputy prime minister and son of Kenya’s founding president, faces trial along with his running mate William Ruto at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for their alleged roles in orchestrating murder of about 1 000 people, rape and violence after the 2007 poll.
Felix Odhiambo of the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa, told Al Jazeera that the two frontrunners, Odinga and Kenyatta, “came out of the debates with their support base intact.”
“Nothing happened that broke them in any way, and throughout the debate they were busy appealing to their base,” Odhiambo said from Nairobi.
Kenya’s presidential election is set for 4 March
All eight presidential candidates cleared by Kenya’s electoral authority were present during Monday’s live debate, which was widely aired.
Kenyatta was asked about his ability to run the country despite facing the charges by the debate’s moderators. An audience of about 200 people also participated in questioning the candidates.
“I will be able to handle the issue of clearing our names . . . while at the same time ensuring that the business of government continues,” Kenyatta said in reply to a question about how he and Ruto will juggle court appearances and run the country if elected.
But his key challenger scoffed at the possibility of running Kenya from The Hague-based ICC.
“I know that it will pose serious challenges to run a government by Skype from The Hague,” Odinga said. “I know that it is not practical.” — Al Jazeera
Online Reporter