Media houses in Kenya came together to organise the Presidential debate meant to grill aspiring Presidents and their running mates seeking to rule the country after the August 8 General Election.

Under the company, Debate Media Limited, the Fourth Estate splashed millions of shillings to make the National event a success.

The media heavily advertised the Presidential debate on various platform and emerging reports estimate the cost to be standing at a whopping Sh200 Million.

Apart from this, the organisers secured the Catholic University of East Africa's auditorium which saw them part with over Sh100 Million.

The venue which has a capacity of 600 people was decorated to fit the occasion to be televised countrywide.

However. it was a huge blow for the media company's on Monday 17 July 2017 during the running mates' debate when only one aspirant, Eliud Muthiora, showed up for the debate.

Deputy President William Ruto and his main rival of the National Super Alliance Kalonzo Musyoka snubbed the debate.

According to Mr Ruto, he was never consulted, a claim that the Committee organising the event termed as dishonest.

"The suggestion that the candidates did not know about these debates is therefore at best dishonest. The debates are driven by the enduring principle that the media is a watchdog for society and provides a platform for alternative visions to contend," the Committee's statement read in part.

At the same time, President Uhuru Kenyatta has hinted at not participating in the Presidential Debate scheduled to take place on 24 July 2017.

Read Also: Uhuru to Skip Presidential Debate Again

According to State House Communication Director Dennis Itumbi, Mr Kenyatta will be continuing with his campaigns at the grass root level.

"@PresidentKE @UKenyatta will not attend the debate on 24th. He will be engaging the people of Kenya directly at their homes and markets," Itumbi tweeted.