Some elders from the Suba community have asked their youths to refrain from engaging in Tuesday anti-government demos organised by Raila Odinga.
The elders argued that street protests are always disruptive and destructive so they should not be encouraged.
The elders led by their vice chairman Peter Ouma in Sindo on Sunday said there is a need for Azimio One Kenya leaders to channel their issues through bipartisan talks.
Ouma argued that a roundtable discussion is the best way to address problems and get solutions
“Suba elders state categorically that they are against street protests called by Azimio leaders. We’re asking youths from the community to refrain from any form of demonstrations because they don’t add value to us,” Ouma said.
Their statement comes as Azimio supporters plan to go to the streets on Tuesday to protest over the high cost of living, among other issues.
The elders said they are calling for peace to enable President William Ruto to implement his election pledges.
Ouma called on youths and women to emulate their approach to solving their problems adding that they have presented to the state the development projects they want in the region.
The council coordinator Opiata Ogada said they wish to have a public ferry that connects them to other areas through Lake Victoria.
Ferries operating in the lake are privately owned.
Opiata said their prayer is for the government to purchase a public ferry that connects the region to Kisumu and beyond.
“Many of our people in islands face difficulties in movement because of the lack of public transport system. We want at least four public ferries to support movement across the lake,” Opiata said.
The elders also asked the government to establish a higher learning institution to help youths acquire skills for the dynamic job market.
“Establishing a university or a national polytechnic will create more jobs for suppliers,” Opiata said.
Opiata said they cannot get all the projects they want if they continue holding demos against the government.
The community wants the national government to tarmac the 72km Mbita-Sindo-Magunga-Sori Road, Koguta-Sindo Road and Rusinga Ring Road.
The community has two constituencies — Suba North and Suba South in Homa Bay county.
Most of the roads are impassable, especially now that it is raining heavily.
The two constituencies border Lake Victoria and cover more than 60 per cent of the lake.
The six islands in Homa Bay are also in the Suba region. The elders said they also faced movement difficulties from one island to another.
They further want the government to build a fish processing factory in the area. Opiata said fish should be dried using machines to speed up the process especially when there is low sunshine.
“It is disheartening that fish from Suba is processed in a different county,” he said.
Elders Nelson Ounga and Josephine Abonyo said President Ruto has agreed to the development projects they requested.
Abasuba is among the marginalised communities in Kenya and its members have been petitioning the government to implement development projects in the region for economic growth.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
