Photo: Monicah Mwangi/The Star Nairobi — Kenyan media houses have launched joint presidential live debates which will provide leading candidates with an opportunity to outline their policies to the public.
The debates unveiled at the Serena Hotel are a first, and will be broadcast on TV, radio, and streamed online on November 26, followed by the second on January 14, 2013 and February 11, 2013 when the third debate will be held.
In the eventuality that there is a runoff, another debate will be considered.
"It is the first time Kenyans will experience this kind of debates where they get to audit the presidential aspirants when they outline their policies," Nation Media Group Chief Executive Linus Gitahi said.
All the major media houses, including Capital FM are involved in organising the debates which will see candidates face it off with one another in live broadcasts for the first time in the country's history.
"It will be about policies and what they will do to transform this country," Gitahi said.
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Managing Director Waithaka Waihenya assured that high professional standards will be employed in organising and executing the project.
"This is a very huge project, and a project of this magnitude needs us to ensure that there is an appreciable level of integrity and transparency in its execution," he said, adding that even the candidates will be invited to give their views on how they want the process structured.
Capital FM's Editorial Director Michael Mumo said the station will stream the debates live on www.captialfm.co.ke/news. He added that the public will be able to express their opinions, send in questions, and generally take part in the debates on Twitter and Facebook.
Kass FM's chairman Joshua Chepkwony told the organisers to ensure Kenyans in the Diaspora are also given a chance to participate.
Barely two weeks ago, US President Barrack Obama faced it off with Republican nominee Mitt Romney during their first debate ahead of the US election due next month.
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