Editor's Review

The five journalists have been picked from NTV, Citizen, KBC, and TV47 media stations. 

Less than a month into the next general elections on August 9, organizers of the Deputy Presidential Debate have revealed the names of five moderators going to lead the debate.

Through a joint statement released on Wednesday, July 13, the organizers including the Media Owners of Kenya (MoA), Media Council of Kenya (MCK), and the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) revealed that five renowned journalists from five different media houses will lead the debate.

Those who will steer the hot debate include; Sophia Wanuna of KTN, James Smart of NTV Kenya, Linda Alela of TV47, and Jacob Kioria of KBC.

Panel discussions for both debates will be moderated by Trevor Ombija of Citizen TV.

The organizers also revealed that the debate will be divided into two phases, the first one involving those candidates whose ratings are below 5% in the recent three opinion polls and the second phase involving candidates whose rates are above 5%.

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The first phase of the interview will start at 6:00 pm and will end at 7:30 pm while the second debate will start at 8 pm and end at 9:30 pm.

The first phase will be moderated by Linda Alela and Jacob Kioria while the second phase will be moderated by Sophia Wanuna and James Smart.

"In line with the now established tradition, the 2022 deputy presidential debate will proceed in two tiers. The first tier will feature Deputy Presidential candidates whose popularity ratings, based on three recent opinion polls, stand below 5% while the second tier will involve candidates who have polled above 5%," read part of the joint statement.

A photo collage of four deputy presidential candidates set t take part in the oncoming debate slated for July 19. Photo: Courtesy

According to the organizers, the moderators were chosen after thorough criteria which included the journalists' impartiality in politics, fairness, and their understanding of Kenya's political landscape.

"Moderators have been selected based on rigorous criteria that, among other things, endear the principles of impartiality, fairness and objectivity, a strong understanding of the Kenyan Political landscape and major issues of this election," added the statement.

The Deputy Presidential Debate is set to be conducted on July 19, 2022, at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi.