Kenya Presidential Debate 11th of March 2013

It is election season in Kenya and the politics hots up.

Kenya Presidential candidates battle it out – challenging one another on what they can do for the country if elected on March the 4th 2013.

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Why presidential debate was sadly, not a game changer as expected

By  Dismas K Mokua

The presidential debate on Monday night was not a game changer at all. Candidates who have been urging for issue- based campaigns failed to impress. They made blanket statements while those considered weak in policy had a stellar performance.

Peter Kenneth, Martha Karua and James ole Kiyiapi lost a golden opportunity to make political capital by showing how to take Kenya to the next level, save for a few occasions when Kiyiapi offered policy solutions on healthcare and education.

Kenneth, who all along anchored his presidency on issues, did not fly on Monday. He failed to turn on the nation despite a great CDF record. His body language suggested a furious man, who did not even bother to introduce himself.

Karua was spot on and just like Paul Muite, she has neither political debts nor obligations and faced the issues head on to the extent of correcting other candidates. However, she did not connect with voters but used her airtime to settle scores with Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.

Mohammed Dida was remarkable in his basic approach to issues and deflated the tension created by other candidates. He was the only one at peace while others were tense and nervous.

Of particular interest was the fallacy that Uhuru, Raila and Musalia Mudavadi are poor debaters. The debate afforded the trio the opportunity to disabuse the notion that having been born and brought up in purple, they are not at home with issues and would rather talk down at voters during public rallies.

Raila, who was the punching bag as incumbent, maintained his cool. He was able to take fire and displayed presidential deportment.

People had developed low expectations on Raila particularly the urban elite that does not care about his ‘vitendawili’ strategy. He, however, shocked the nation by his ability to espouse policy issues as opposed to rallies where court poets thrive.

Uhuru’s appreciation of public policy especially on monetary and fiscal issues was clear. He was able to effectively use his experience as Finance Minister to discuss his successes, especially in integrated financial management and waste reduction. Uhuru is the only candidate who demonstrated being a team player by continuously referring to his running mate William Ruto.

TRIBAL MATH

Mudavadi, in an ingenious manner, used his record to convince that we should trust him. His reference to a nurse serving at the Coast but facing daily challenges in accessing water to manage a health facility was a powerful illustration. This a typical Clinton move!

The general frustration is that all candidates besides looking tired, tip toed on key issues like ethnicity and security besides failing to discuss the ‘how’ in their promises. Nobody had the guts to face tribalism and admit Kenya is made up of “nations”, which some candidates are using to mobilise for elections.

The candidates needed to appreciate we are a nation state and not a single Kenyan should be denied opportunities because of his/her ethnic background.

This is the question that made Uhuru, Raila and Mudavadi sweat because their candidatures, national as they have been positioned are anchored on regional math. The fear of tribalism made Kenneth and Muite dodge the ICC issue by making politically correct statements. One could see the two were conveniently lost on the ICC hot potato.

Uhuru faced the ICC issue with confidence. The fact that ICC OTP 4 is crumbling may have just given him a spring. He succeeded in isolating the ICC matter as campaign issue.

On security, Muite demonstrated lack of appreciation of Kenya’s national security interests. Basic diplomacy is such that you maintain a strong military force not for reckless attacks but for deterrent purposes. It is naïve to threaten an attack on your neighbour, especially when Kenya is a key member of the East African Community.

A handshake in any society is a powerful statement, which is why Uhuru, Karua and Raila demonstrated statesmanship by shaking hands with other candidates.

Kenyans got some peace of mind when Uhuru and Raila said they would concede defeat or go to court for any poll dispute, something Wanjiku was waiting for. The candidates have another chance to win the nation’s trust and create emotional connection with undecided voters on February 25.

The writer is the Vice President, Sadiki East Africa, a trade and political communications practice and has advised two presidents in East Africa.

source standard.ke

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