Former civic leaders from Nyanza have dismissed the planned demonstrations by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
The retired politicians say the move is likely to disrupt the good work being undertaken by President William Ruto.
Led by their chairman Joseph Ogut, the leaders who addressed the press in Kisumu on Friday likened President Ruto to the biblical Joshua who delivered Israelites to Canaan.
According to the leaders, elections are long gone, and any demonstrations are only meant to stifle development in the country.
Even when you marry, you cannot blame your wife for failing to give birth after six months
Joseph Ogut
Ogut said Ruto’s government is barely six months old, and does not warrant the amount of criticism advanced by Azimio leadership.
“Even when you marry, you cannot blame your wife for failing to give birth after six months,” said Ogut.
He said President Ruto deserves at least two years before his development and service delivery record can be critiqued.
Henry Ondeje, a former Councilor from Siaya County said elections are over, and there is need to allow the President serve Kenyans.
He said despite not getting enough votes from this region, he has given a number of appointive positions to people from Nyanza.
“We see President Ruto as Joshua, he is the only person who can take us to Canaan,” said Ondeje.
He added: “We see Eliud Owalo (ICT Cabinet Secretary) as Caleb, as he has paved the way for people from this region to access the President.”
Ondeje called on Nyanza residents to shun violent protests as such moves will scare away investors.
“We are talking about unemployment. But when people violently demonstrate and cause destruction, the people who can invest to bring employment will be scared and stay away,” he added.
Demonstrations not the solution
Councilor Benson Ogutu from Kisumu County said demonstrations will not fix the problems facing Kenya.
“Kenyan problems can only be fixed through sitting on the table where people sit, reason and agree on the way forward,” said Ogutu.
“If we could sit down with Uhuru Kenyatta (former President), why can’t we sit down with President Ruto today and sort out the problems?” he posed.
“Running on the streets will not create jobs to our unemployed youths,” he added.
Kenyan problems can only be fixed through sitting on the table where people sit, reason and agree on the way forward
Benson Ogutu
The former councilors also noted that they will be seeking an audience with President Ruto, to facilitate the payment of their sendoff packages and pensions which have remained pending for the last 12 years.
They dismissed the narrative that people from Nyanza visiting the State House were only begging for food.
“Even if it is so, who leaves behind their stomach behind?” posed Ogut.
According to the councilors, the cabinet had approved a blueprint to have each of the former civic leaders in the defunct local governments get home with Sh1.5 million each as sendoff package, and a Sh30, 000 monthly pension.
“This has not been realized today,” said Ogutu.