Raila Odinga, Kenya's presidential candidate in the upcoming 9 August elections backed by outgoing leader Uhuru Kenyatta, will not participate in the 'American-style' debate with the other pretender, current Vice President William Ruto.

"It would be an insult to Kenyans to participate in a confrontation where my rival has dictated the questions to ask and those not to ask," Odinga, through his spokesperson Makau Mutua, made known.

Mutua, had called for the debate to focus on anti-corruption, integrity, ethics and governance, issues described as 'key' for Kenya.

"Ruto is a man who has no regard for ethics, public morality or shame. That is why we will not share the national podium with a person who lacks basic decency,' Mutua said. 'It would be a colossal mistake to reward such a person with a national debate. We will not help his unsuccessful campaign. He can explain himself and his poor results to the voters without our help. Simply put, our main opponent has proven throughout his career that he will do and say anything for his ungovernable greed for power. As is well known, our opponent has criss-crossed the country hurling epithets at us and other prominent national leaders, including vile sexist attacks'.
This could be the last of the rants that the two main candidates to govern Kenya in the next five-year term have made to each other, during a very hot election campaign, albeit with a demand from both sides that the voting exercise be conducted in a calm and peaceful manner and that the pretenders eventually accept the verdict of the people willingly.