Wairimu Manyara, a 3^rd year law student, and her debating partner, Isaac Boakye from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, won the Zanzibar Open Debate Tournament held from 12^th to 16^th September 2019 at the State University. Wairimu was among five other participants from the Strathmore Debating Society.

The main objective of the debate tournament is to sharpen the participants debating skills and prepare them for the upcoming Pan African and World Universities Debate Championship. This is done by exposing participants to six rigorous preliminary rounds and three out rounds using the British Parliamentary System. Through this, speakers gain skills such as critical thinking; communication skills and diverse knowledge sets which are essential tools to be a great debater.

A variety of issues were covered during the different debating rounds including minority rights, the effectiveness of arbitration in solving disputes and the formation of an African Criminal Court to replace the International Criminal Court.

“After two rigorous days of debating, we had an opportunity to tour Zanzibar and visit famous spice farms and learn more about their culture,” said Njuguna Macharia. “We ended our day’s excursion with beach football, volleyball, and swimming in the pristine waters of Zanzibar,’ he added

On the final day, the teams had a chance to battle it out for the winning prize. The speakers were tasked with analyzing who between the developed and developing states had a greater obligation to host refugees.

The debate tournament was organized by the Tanzania Competitive Rhetoric Organization and attracted participants from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana and the host country.

 

This article was written by Njuguna Macharia

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