Kenya's presidential candidates will go head to head in televised debates on July 10 and 24, ahead of the general election on August 8.
The American-style debates will see the candidates
reach out to the widest possible audience to explain how they would govern Kenya if elected.
They are aimed at helping voters make informed choices, promoting national cohesion and steering campaigns towards the quality of leadership rather than personalities.
Royal media services CEO
Wachira Waruru said the sessions will take place from 7.30pm at Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
The running mates' debate will take place on July 17 at the same time.
Waruru noted the media's aim is
to entrench a culture of civilised discourse through sessions that will give the public opportunities to listen to candidates, question and interact with them.
"The committee is finalising on rules that will guide the debates. We are yet
to decide on the number of candidates who will participate," he told the press in Nairobi on Tuesday.
National Super Alliance flag bearer Raila Odinga (ODM) will face off with Jubilee Party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta.
But 18 Kenyans will battle it out for the presidency in August, if cleared by the IEBC, after getting the approval of the Registrar of Political Parties.
Of the 18, seven will vie under different party umbrellas while the rest will seek election as independent candidates.
Read:
In February 2013, two historic presidential debates were televised.
Eight television stations and 32 radio stations announced the venture for an unprecedented simultaneous broadcast of the debates.
The debates adopted a town-hall style format, each having two moderators and four panelists who engaged presidential aspirants in a question and answer session for 90 minutes.