Security has been beefed up in Kisumu ahead of the Agricultural Society of Kenya regional show scheduled to start on Wednesday.
The event, scheduled to run from July 26 to 30, will be held at Mamboleo Showground.
The official opening of the show, which had taken a three-year break due to Covid-19, coincides with anti-governmental demonstrations called by the Azimio coalition to protest the high cost of living. The ASK show was last held in 2019.
Fear is rife that the protests will disrupt the agricultural show but government officials have assured the more than 150 exhibitors who have shown interest in the event of their safety.
Acting county commissioner Hussein Alassow Hussein said adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure the event runs smoothly as planned.
He urged politicians and local leaders to prevail upon the youth and their supporters to maintain peace for the success of the event.
"This show is of immense benefit to the county and will bring in revenue. We are urging the local political leadership to prevail upon their supporters to remain peaceful during and after the event."
Following last week's three days anti-government protests that left four people dead and several others with gunshot wounds, there has been fear by people who were to participate in the event.
Hussein said he had received many calls from people in Nairobi, Mombasa and other parts of the country who want to come to the show and he has assured them that it will be peaceful.
"I also want to ask the youth to refrain from violence and maintain peace to avoid scaring away investors," he said.
A pre-show event was held at the grounds on Monday ahead of the official opening on Wednesday.
Show’s chief steward Rose Omondi said at least 150 exhibitors have confirmed participation.
The exhibitors from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will showcase various products, technologies and services during the five-day event, she said.
Showgoers were urged to turn up in large numbers to learn from the exhibitors and share ideas from different sectors.