Kenya Kwanza and Azimio MPs traded verbal barbs at a fundraiser held at North Mugirango on Saturday as the two political camps continue to differ over the cost of living.
Speaking at the event, the MPs gave different accounts of how Kenya found itself in its current position which has seen the prices of basic commodities such as food and utilities go through the roof.
Led by Marakwet West MP Timothy Toroitich, the Kenya Kwanza MPs urged Kenyans to be patient, pointing out that the government had found itself between a hard rock and a hard place where it was forced to prioritise servicing the country's ballooning national debt.
“Kenya’s economy has declined a little. But the government of William Samoei Ruto is working so hard to pay the debt”, Toroitich noted.
The Kenya Kwanza MPs further trained their guns on the Judiciary for what they described as constantly issuing orders that go on to stall the implementation of key government services.
However, Azimio MPs who attended the meeting would have none of that, stressing that the major driver behind the high cost of living was the Kenya Kwanza government's taxation appetite.
To back up their points, the MPs led by Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi reiterated that the government had the power to reduce taxation and cut fuel prices as a means to reduce the cost of living but claimed that the Executive had refused to do so.
The Azimio-affiliated MPs also maintained that the revenue collected by the government was enough to sustain Kenyans.
They urged their counterparts to lobby the President to heighten the fight against corruption, citing that the vice was crippling Kenya.
In their speeches, the Azimio-affiliated MPs maintained that the government was capable and should be in control of the cost of living.
On the same day, in a separate incident in Ugenya, David Ochieng, a Ruto ally from Luo Nyanza was chased out of a funeral attended by Azimio leader Raila Odinga by rowdy youth who threatened to manhandle him.
The youth who were irate, are said to be angered over the MP's recent decision to defect from the Azimio camp and joining the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
