On Tuesday, July 19, Raila Odinga’s 2022 presidential running mate Martha Karua faced off in a televised debate with William Ruto’s presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua is understood to have spent the better part of his day with the party’s economists before he went for the presidential running mate debate, held at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA).
While it was expected that Karua would walk over Gachagua in the debate, several opinion polls conducted after the debate revealed that Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua beat his opponent Martha Karua.
In a statement, the United Democratic United (UDA) presidential candidate William Ruto congratulated his 2022 presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua for his sharp debating skills.
Ruto, heaped praise on Gachagua terming him as a seasoned, passionate, and focused leader who will help him steer Kenya Kwanza to victory in the August 9, presidential election.
“Congratulations Rigathi Gachagua my very able running mate. Kenyans are confident that in you we have a seasoned, passionate, and focused leader to help us steer Kenya kwanza to victory and the nation to prosperity. We thank almighty God na ubarikiwe sana. Never mind the media,” William Ruto said.
During the debate, Gachagua said President Uhuru Kenyatta sidelined his deputy from his government because of his (Kenyatta’s) inferiority complex.
“The president said recently at State House, Nairobi that he nominated Martha Karua (as Raila Odinga’s deputy presidential candidate) to protect his interests and those of his family,” Gachagua said.
On her part, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party presidential running mate Martha Karua said he has no appetite for land as his opponent.
“I’m not thirsty for land; I’m not thirsty for worldly goods. I’m happy to have a house in Nairobi and a house in my father’s land; Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County,” she said.
