• A section of Kenyans were disappointed with how the candidates answered questions while others felt that their expectations were met.
• Through tweeter space, Kenyans and political analysts gave their opinions on how the debate was presented by the four DP candidates.
Image: THE STAR
The deputy presidential debate held on Tuesday at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) sparked different reactions from Kenyans.
Four candidates faced off in a two-tier debate on Tuesday.
They include; Martha Karua (Azimio la Umoja One-Kenya Alliance), Rigathi Gachagua (UDA Party), Ruth Mucheru Mutua (Agano Party) and Justina Wambui (Roots Party).
The debate was held in two tiers where Karua battled out with Gachagua while Mutua faced off with Wamae.
Through Twitter Space, Kenyans and political analysts gave their opinions on how the debate was presented by the four DP candidates.
Some Kenyans were disappointed with how the candidates answered the questions while others felt that their expectations were met.
Paul Kosgei said the debate was generally very mature compared to Nairobi's governor debate held a week before.
He said questions on the second tier failed to focus on the key issues but rather on their personalities.
"Questions must be specific and key issue based to limit the chances of individuals attacking each other's personalities," he said.
Eliud Kibii, a journalist at Star, said the second-tier debate was well presented and it met his expectations.
"The moderators spent a lot of time interrogating candidates and asked questions that are already in the public domain," he said.
He added that Karua came out calm despite being triggered by his opponent.
Mwaura Robert said he was disappointed with the entire debate.
He added that Gachagua presented his points better.
"Gachagua never attacked Uhuru, he only told him the truth," he said.
Many Kenyans felt that Gachagua could be pushed further to reveal the source of his income.
Political analyst Herman Manyora was of a different opinion that Karua was not very elaborate on the question of being linked to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
"When you mention Uhuru, Karua feels constrained. I would understand because of the territory. Karua must have not been seen to be overprotective of Uhuru," Manyora said.
He said that during the first session, the ladies were up to the task and they delivered as expected.
Manyora said Wamae's points came out clearly as she was able to defend and destigmatize her manifesto well in terms of the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purpose.
"Wamae was able to distinguish the sets of marijuana for medical purposes, scientific purposes and marijuana as a cash crop," he said.
"I am not able to say who was better than the other but they proved themselves. They were composed and articulated their points well," he said.
Bernard, however, said Wamae and Mutua could have done better than that if Kenyans focused on them.