The Presidential Debates Secretariat has announced that preparations for the 2022 presidential debate are in their final leg.

The secretariat announced in a statement issued on Monday that the event will take place in July.

“We are delighted to confirm to the country that those preparations are now in their last leg and today, we are announcing key details about the debates which will all take place this month, July 2022,” the statement read.

In addition, the secretariat also announced that this year there would also be a gubernatorial debate for Nairobi County in recognition of the central place held by devolution in governance and the need to ensure greater accountability at the county level.

“In addition to the traditional presidential and deputy presidential debates, we wish to inform the public, that this year we will also have a Gubernatorial Debate for the County of Nairobi. This is in recognition of the central place held by devolution in our governance and the growing need to ensure greater accountability at the county level,” the statement read in part.

All the debates will be held at the Catholic University for Eastern Africa (CUEA) main campus in Karen, Nairobi, from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

The secretariat announced the respective date for each of the debates as follows:

  • Nairobi Gubernatorial Debate – Monday, July 11th, 2022 
  • Deputy Presidential Debate – Tuesday, July 19th, 2022
  • Presidential Debate – Tuesday, July 26th, 2022.

According to the statement, the Nairobi gubernatorial debate will take place in two tiers and will be held at the 

“The first tier will feature gubernatorial candidates whose popularity ratings, based on three recent opinion polls, stand below 5 per cent, while the second tier will involve candidates who have polled above 5 per cent in the same opinion surveys,” read the statement. 

“The first debate will run from 6:00 pm and end at 7.30 pm while the second debate will go on air at 8:00 pm and end at 9.30 pm.”

The secretariat has expressed its commitment to delivering a debate founded on principles of fairness, integrity, independence and accountability.