President William Ruto has convened a crisis Parliamentary Group meeting at a time his administration is teetering to the first fallout.
The meeting to be held on Monday, according to sources, will address the thorny issue of the Finance Bill, 2024, that has generated heated debate in the country.
"Good evening colleagues, H E the President Dr WSR invites you all to a joint PG meeting to be held at State House, Nairobi, on Monday, 10th June, at exactly 7am. Kindly keep time," read an invite sent to coalition members by Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro.
The PG will be preceded by a UDA National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at State House on Saturday.
Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka said a number of issues will be deliberated. Some will roll to the Monday meeting.
“The NEC will meet tomorrow. We agreed as a coalition that we will be meeting frequently because we believe in the spirit of consultations,” Musyoka told the Star.
“There are a number of things to be discussed on that day, I'm sure you know some of them and that will also be furthered during the PG, among other things. I would suggest that we hold the cats.”
The Bill that spells out government tax measures has received resistance among Kenyans, who view it as an unnecessary burden.
A recent Infotrak opinion poll revealed majority of Kenyans disapprove of the tax proposals contained in the Bill.
The Monday meeting that will bring on board all Kenya Kwanza affiliate parties will seek to rally the pro-government legislators to back the Bill.
According to those in Ruto's camp, the Bill is not that bad as people are being made to believe.
The Bill that will be considered next week in Parliament has received resistance even among Ruto MPs.
But a number of MPs in the ruling coalition have publicly called for a review of some of the clauses that are injurious to the common man.
Some of the contested areas will increase the cost of basic commodities, including bread and cooking oil that is used by many households.
The Bill further imposes taxes on essential services, including excise duty on mobile money and VAT on banking services.
Vehicle owners would have to pay an annual tax amounting to 2.5 per cent of the value of the vehicle.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng' whose MDG Party entered a post-election deal with Kenya Kwanza has called for the withdrawal of the Bill.
He vowed to oppose it when it is brought to Parliament.
"We are courting a revolution, you cannot tax a payslip to the skin. I will vote against it totally, I will not even pick and choose," Ochieng said.
"I want to advise those who are listening, this whole Finance Bill of this year is ill-conceived and should be withdrawn."
While most Ruto allies have remained mum on the Bill, DP’s men have threatened to shoot down the Finance Bill, 2024, which they say contains punitive sections.
The PG come hot on the heels of reports of a falling out in the governing party, pitting Ruto and his deputy against each other.
The fallout, according to Kenya Kwanza insiders, will also be deliberated in both the NEC and PG.
The growing unease in Ruto and Gachagua’s camps has on several occasions played out in the public with the recent case the President contradicting his deputy on MPs traversing the country.