Kenya's candidates hold 1st ever debate
2013-02-12 07:37
Nairobi - Kenya's eight presidential candidates held the
country's first ever face-to-face debate on Monday as tensions mount ahead of
next month's election, five years after bloody violence erupted in the wake of
the last vote.
While two main candidates - Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga
- dominate the race for the 4 March election, all the hopefuls have potential
influence, especially if voting goes to a second round run-off.
Kenyans crowded into bars and homes to watch the debate,
broadcast live on television, radio as well as the internet for Kenyans
overseas.
The poll is the first since bloody post-election violence in
2007-8, when what began as political riots quickly turned into ethnic violence
that killed at least 1 200 people and displaced 600 000 others.
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, rape and violence after the 2007 poll.
The violence shattered Kenya's image as a beacon of
stability in east Africa, when what began as political riots quickly turned
into ethnic violence.
"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 be in court and run the country if elected.
But his key challenger scoffed at the possibility of running
Kenya from The Hague-based ICC.
Serious challenges
"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."
Despite sometimes heated exchanges - mostly over Kenyatta's
future as he prepares for a potentially lengthy ICC trial - the rivals stressed
the importance of not repeating the violence of the last poll.
"Personally I have no differences with the Honourable
Raila... but we may differ on how to handle some of the issues", Kenyatta
said, looking at Odinga.
In return, Odinga called Kenyatta "my brother" and
said they were "the best of friends".
Other candidates include Musalia Mudavadi, the deputy prime
minister, Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, and James Ole Kiyapi.
The debate was nearly stalled after two smaller candidates -
Paul Muite and Mohammed Abduba Dida - were initially excluded from the meeting,
with Muite obtaining a court injunction to ensure they were allowed to take
part.
A second debate is due on February 25.
- SAPA
