Nine TNA candidates in Murang'a have refuted reports that they were heckled during a public debate last weekend. "There was no heckling, there was no snatching of the microphone as claimed," said Mwangi on Friday.

Led by the outgoing Kiharu MP Muturi Mwangi, who is defending his seat on the Grand National Union ticket, the aspirants accused their TNA opponents of using various tricks to discredit their campaigns.

Mwangi said TNA candidates are not happy that they will face opposition from other parties. The debate at Ihura Stadium, in Murang'a town was organised by a local vernacular radio station to provide a forum for the candidates to articulate their issues.

Mwangi called on the candidates to respect each other and conduct peaceful campaigns without resulting to tricks and malice. He said media should be fair and balanced in reporting the election coverage without favouring any candidate.

"All what we want is fair play where candidates respect each other and what is reported is fair and balanced without taking sides," he said.

Those who are said to have been heckled include Mwangi and Julius Kaberere, who is eyeing the governor seat on Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) ticket.

Other candidates vying for posts outside TNA in Murang'a County include former Kanu secretary general Joseph Kamotho who secured GNU ticket to run for Senate.

Peter Kenneth Kenya National Congress (KNC) has Moses Mwangi for governor, outgoing Murang'a mayor Mercy Kimwe for women's representative and Nduati Ngugi for Gatanga parliamentary seat. TNA candidates include Mwangi wa Iria for the governorship and Kembi Gitura for Senate seat