Raila missing debate is not about his age - Sifuna

 

ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna bashed political opponents who claim  Azimio presidential aspirant Raila Odinga’s decision to miss the presidential debate was connected to his age.

This comes after speculation going around on social media that Raila made the decision not to attend the scheduled debate because of his age.

“It is quite unfortunate that our political opponent's supporters, people younger than Raila, mocking his decision about the debate based on his age or inability to stand. All of us have to grow old,” Sifuna said on Tuesday.

“This has nothing to do with Raila Odinga’s fitness. He goes to gym everyday. The issue is are we going to extract any value from this debate?” he posed.

On July 24 ,2022 Azimio la Umoja spokesperson Makau Mutua hinted that Raila might not attend the presidential debate.

The coalition noted that having Ruto and Raila on the same platform this year would be a bad idea.

Mutua claimed Ruto had issued his reservations telling the moderators not to focus on corruption and integrity- issues which Azimio wanted to take centre stage.

Going further, Sifuna claimed that the Azimio la Umoja One coalition presidential candidate is among the fittest human beings.

He even revealed that at times some of coalition’s members ‘duck’ extension of planned meetings because they cant keep up with Raila’s energy.

“Those who have hung around Raila know he is the fittest  human being you can meet. I personally have to sometimes duck from his own programme because he is energy is unmatched,” Sifuna added.

In his view, Deputy President William Ruto claimed that Raila Odinga will miss the presidential debate because he has no agenda for the country.

He said that the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate has no agenda for the country and has nothing to tell Kenyans.

Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah has also officially announced he will not attend the debate.

Wajockoyah said he will not be subjected to 'the joke of an already predetermined debate'.

This now leaves the presidential debate to DP Ruto and Agano Party's  David Mwaure Waihiga.

BY THE STAR