Jalang'o Clarifies Taking Ruto's Ksh50 Million to Dump Raila

President William Ruto embracing Lang'ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o on February 7, 2023 at State House, Nairobi County.
President William Ruto embracing Lang'ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o on February 7, 2023, at State House, Nairobi County.
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William Ruto

Lang'ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o refuted reports that he was given Ksh50 million by President William Ruto to dump former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking to Ramogi TV on Wednesday, February 8,  he affirmed his support for Azimio and the former premier adding that no money was dished out to his colleagues who went to the Tuesday, February 7 State House meeting.

He expressed that the Ksh50 million that was being reported was meant for the construction of a college in his constituency.

Jalang'o maintained that the money was yet to be disbursed for the project.

President William Ruto (centre) and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua (third from right) pose with nine ODM Mps at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
President William Ruto (centre) and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua (third from right) pose with nine ODM MPs at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
PCS

"They are saying that we were each given Ksh50 million. Do they know how much Ksh50 million is? If we were given that money, I would be in Mombasa enjoying myself. 

"Ksh50 million that was discussed at the meeting was for a college in my constituency. The project had not been disbursed yet," he stated.

Further, he revealed that Ruto called him a day after a section of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) MPs visited State House.

The MP indicated that Ruto called him earlier in the day with their discussion centred around the uproar over the meeting.

Jalang'o intimated that the Head of State was concerned over the backlash the MP was getting yet they only talked about development issues.

He added that Ruto - who he stated was his friend - advised him to make public details of their meeting even as he revealed his response.

"Ruto is indeed my friend and in fact, he called me today (Wednesday) to ask me what the issue was. I told him that I was being called a betrayer for meeting with him.

 

"The President knows that I am a supporter of Raila and ODM. He even advised that I reveal details of our meeting as we were talking about development," he stated.

Jalang'o added that he told Ruto the move would not work as a number of his critics had already made up their minds over the visit.

"I told him that even if I revealed details of the meeting, people criticising me would still not believe me," the MP stated.

Notably, Jalang'o was blocked from attending the Azimio Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting in Machakos on Thursday, February 9, over the State House meeting.

He, however, managed to gain entry into the venue after the intervention of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. Minutes later, he was kicked out by Raila's security team after the former premier arrived.

Rowdy youths blocking Langata MP Phelix Odiwour from accessing the venue of Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting on Thursday February 9, 2023
Rowdy youths blocking Langata MP Phelix Odiwour from accessing the venue of the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting on Thursday, February 9, 2023.
Philip Murutu