Dida in court to stop presidential debates

Alliance for Real Change presidential candidate Mohammed Abduba Dida. He has sued to stop two presidential debates. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He wants the presidential debates stopped unless all the presidential candidates are on the same podium.
  • He further argues the categorisation will enrich "political discourse".

Alliance for Real Change presidential candidate Mohammed Abduba Dida has sued seeking to stop two presidential debates planned for July 10 and 24.

He has sued Debate Media Limited and the Media Council of Kenya, the organisers of the presidential debate.

He wants the debates temporarily stopped because they will feature two categories of candidates: those who have already garnered over five per cent popularity as per opinion polls and those who have not.

Through lawyer Nicholas Orinda, he argues that categorising the contenders for the top seat in the August elections is unfair and prejudicial to the other candidates.

He further argues the categorisation will not enrich "political discourse".

Mr Dida alleges that election laws do not categorise presidential candidates and hence the format for the debates is unlawful.

He wants the presidential debates stopped unless all the candidates are on the same stage.