Kenya Power explains blackout during Presidential Debate

Deputy President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

On the rising cost of living, Ruto said subsidies are a temporary solution but it is more important to get to the root cause of the matter.

He pointed an accusing finger at the Handshake, saying it derailed the government's Big Four plan.

"We find ourselves here because there are certain things we did not do right. We had a Big Four plan because we foresaw this situation.

"Unfortunately that plan fell apart...it was actually sabotaged. It was shelved and we went on a tangent because of the handshake equation," he said.

Ruto further stated that President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed intentions to do things differently and wanted to assemble a different team to help him deliver.

The DP also took a swipe at Odinga saying he snubbed the debate because he lacks a plan and does not have an agenda for the people of Kenya.

"He cannot articulate anything to the people of Kenya...he does not want to answer difficult questions. He has been part of the handshake administration for the last five years.

"In fact, my competitor did not come here because he is not the real candidate. He is a project," he remarked.