President Uhuru Kenyatta & rival Raila boycott presidential debate 

The two main candidates competing for Kenya's presidency in the August 8 elections have pulled out of a planned debate organized by the local media. 
The first of three debates had been scheduled for July 10.

An aide of President Uhuru Kenyatta, David Murathe, was earlier quoted as saying that "shouting matches" are beneath the President and that he has other avenues of engaging with voters.

Mr Murathe told journalists that the President's team is not aware of the rules of the debate. 

A statement from the opposition leader Raila Odinga's team also said he will not take part in the debate unless the format is changed. 

The Committee of Presidential Debates, the body formed by media organisations to organize the debates, said all the campaign teams had been fully briefed about the debate rules.

It added that it will continue to work with the teams to find a solution. 

Eight candidates, all men, will be vying for the presidency.

SOURCE: BBC NEWS