Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich has urged Azimio chief Raila Odinga to visit Kerio Valley and see the ugly side of conflict before leading Kenyans to the streets.
Governor Rotich said Odinga and his colleagues should visit the region to see the graves of victims of banditry and talk to affected families.
"I ask Odinga and his team to visit us so that they can understand the pain of conflicts by talking to those who have lost loved ones or are injured," Rotich said.
Rotich who was speaking in Iten town on Monday said many lives have been lost in the recent anti-government demos yet leaders who organise the protests remain senseless to the suffering of victims.
"It's the same Azimio leaders including Odinga who continue to benefit from the same government while misleading poor Kenyans to participate in meaningless protests," Rotich said.
He said although the cost of living is high, violence is not a solution but the cause of more suffering for Kenyans.
Rotich said there will be no protests in President Ruto's North Rift backyard as residents understand the ongoing efforts by the government to improve the situation.
"It's not fair that Odinga and his group use demos to sabotage efforts by the president to improve the economy for the benefit of all Kenyans," Rotich said.
He said Odinga and his colleagues had served in previous governments and were responsible for the economic mess in the country.
The county boss said conflicts had never benefitted anyone and once started it takes time to end.
He said the conflicts in Kerio Valley started more than 50 years ago but today people are still losing lives and communities are heavily affected.
"The conflicts in Kerio Valley were going on when I was born and today as a governor I'm part of the team trying to restore peace and unity in the area," Rotich said.
He said the country was larger than anyone and the Azimio team should value peace and unity instead of appearing to celebrate violence.
"I am urging the Azimio leaders to think well and stop driving our country into anarchy and chaos," Rotich said.
