Raila Odinga to hold rally in Kisii town amid growing resistance

"We will be meeting to plan on the day's activities. We are agreeing on the venue and immediately we will kick off the activities ahead of the trip," he said.

Raila's trip to Kisii comes at a time when local leaders are engaged in supremacy battle barely five months after elections.

The disquiet over the anti-government rallies has been attributed to transition politics, with the region having ousted a number of seasoned politicians in the last polls.

On Tuesday, during the Kisii County Assembly Prayer Breakfast meeting, Governor Simba Arati said President William Ruto was keen to see devolution work.

"We welcome all leaders to the region. Let us embrace our leaders when they come around. Let them come do their thing and leave us to engage our people for development purposes," said Mr Arati.

Raila's tour to the region comes at a time when some Gusii leaders have shifted their allegiance to President Ruto's administration.

Two weeks ago, MPs from Kisii and Nyamira counties met top government officials, including Cabinet secretaries.

The leaders from across the political divide said they are confident that the Kenya Kwanza government will deliver development to the region.

It is not clear whether Azimio MPs will attend the rally given that majority have met President Ruto and vowed to support his administration.

A week ago, West Mugirango MP Steve Mogaka who was elected on a Jubilee Party ticket declared support for Ruto after a meeting at State House, Nairobi.

"We only have one country, one president. West Mugirango won't be in opposition anymore," he said.

Over the weekend, former Kisii Governor James Ongwae who alongside former Woman Rep Janet Ongera decamped from ODM, cautioned Raila against holding the rally, saying it may affect the government's agenda for the region

"People should accept that time for politicking is over; accept the presidency of William Ruto and give him an opportunity to fulfill his contract with Kenyans," he said.

Ms Ongera said they will not allow Azimio to misuse youth in demonstrations. "Elections are over and Azimio should be content until 2027," she added.