History made as Kenya's presidential candidates debateBy CHARLES OMONDI in Nairobi | Monday, February 11  2013 at  19:50

History was made Monday evening when eight candidates took to the podium to debate various issues on their bids for Kenya's presidency

Featuring in debate at the Brookhouse International School, Nairobi were Prime Minister Raila Odinga, his two deputies Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi.

Others were former MPs Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth and Paul Muite.

Former permanent secretary James ole Kiyiapi and former teacher Mohammed Abduba Dida were the other candidates featuring in the debate.

After introducing themselves, the candidates were asked to give their perspectives on the ethnicity, considered to the main driver of Kenya's politics.

The debate was aired live locally on eight TV and 34 radio stations.

International media outlets - BBC, CNN, Reuters and Al Jazeera were also covering the historic event.

Internet giant, Google was also streaming the debate live at http://www.youtube.com/user/electionskenya/ and the Daily Nation at http://www.nation.co.ke.with the live proceedings provided on the website

Kenyans go to the polls on March 4 to elect six sets of leaders to take charge of the country for the next five years.

A winning presidential candidate will be required to garner 50 per cent plus one of the total votes cast, failure which there will be a run-off.

President Mwai Kibaki is retiring after serving his second and final five-year term of office.