Hours after nine Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party officials convened at State House, 30 Jubilee MPs followed suit and met with President William Ruto at the same venue on Wednesday, February 8.
Reports indicated that the legislators broke ranks with the Azimio coalition and committed to working with the government during the meeting.
The notable politicians who met the president included Nominated MPs Sabina Chege, Margaret Kamar, MPs Yusuf Hassan (Kamukunji) and Adan Keynan (Eldas).
The news consequently rattled the Azimio brigade as Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina urged former president Uhuru Kenyatta's intervention.
"(Jubilee Secretary-General) Jeremiah Kioni, please Ask Uhuru to come and speak to your members or all of them will fold," he stated.
The move by the Jubilee politicians is perceived as defiance towards the stance taken by the Azimio coalition, whereby the Azimio leadership should guide all actions.
The head of state has been on a charm offensive on the opposition side if the series of meetings with members of the Azimio coalition is anything to go by.
During his meeting with the nine ODM MPs from the Nyanza region, Ruto affirmed that the aim is to foster unity among the leaders to solve the challenges facing Kenyans.
"Leaders must join hands, foster coexistence and work together in confronting the challenges facing our country. They must lead by example and serve the people's interests. This is a sure route to a more united and developed Kenya.
"At State House, Nairobi, I held a consultative meeting with MPs from Nyanza following a recent visit to the region," Ruto stated.
The nine ODM officials included Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o (Lang'ata), Caroli Omondi (Suba-South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Shakeel Shabir (Kisumu East), Paul Abuor (Rongo), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Walter Owino (Awendo), Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda and Gideon Ochanda (Bondo).
The meeting attracted backlash from ODM, which claimed that the government was willing to spend money to bribe the opposition members.
Philip Etale, the party's communication director, affirmed that this was aimed at derailing them from putting the government under check and balance.
"They have started spending plundered money to hoodwink some of our leaders to scuttle our activities. Such meetings are aimed at diverting Kenyans' attention from issues they face, ranging from the high cost of living, unbearable school fees for their children, and graft," he added.
Sabina was among the notable politicians who have been conspicuously missing during the rallies held by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
Recently, Sabina defended her visit to the State House and pointed out that she respected the decision made by Kenyans to elect the Kenya Kwanza administration into power.
She also affirmed that Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua was the de facto leader of the Mt Kenya region.
“This past week, I went to State House. I got there before every one of you - because I respect anointment and elected leaders. At the moment, the region's leader is Rigathi Gachagua, and we must support him," she stated.
