Jalang'o: Ruto Wants to Poach Me From Azimio

A collage image of Phelix Odiwuor and Deputy President William Ruto (left) and hanging out with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a past event (right).
A photo collage of Phelix Odiwuor and President William Ruto on December 14, 2020 (left) and the lawmaker hanging out with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on August 21, 2022 (right).
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Jalang'o

Lang'ata Member of Parliament-elect Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o on Wednesday, August 24 claimed that Deputy President William Ruto's camp was working hard to have him join Kenya Kwanza.

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV, the former Kiss FM radio presenter disclosed that he has been receiving calls from the Kenya Kwanza team in recent days.

He stated that he had been asked to visit Ruto's residence in Karen to hold talks with the President-elect.

Jalang'o during an Azimio la Umoja Campaign in Nairoi Countyon March 20, 2022 (1).jpg
Jalang'o during an Azimio la Umoja Campaign in Nairobi County on March 20, 2022.
Jalang'o

Additionally, the first-term MP alleged that he was offered money to decamp from the Raila Odinga-led faction. However, he was hesitant to reveal the amount that was offered.

"We have been called severally. What is important is that you should stand for your beliefs and the party that sponsored you to parliament.

Further, Jalang'o asserted that he declined the offers stating that he could not betray his party leader and the vehicle that sponsored him to parliament.

"If you know what you stand for, then you cannot join Kenya Kwanza. We are ready to serve in the opposition even if the supreme court does not rule in favour of Raila.

Ruto has in recent weeks been on a charm offensive to bolster his numbers in parliament where Azimio have an upper hand.

This has seen some members of the Raila-led faction decamp to the Kenya Kwanza team with the latest being former Makueni governor Kivutha Kibwana, Mandera Senator-elect Ali Roba and his party United Democratic Movement (UDM).

However, his political moves have seen him come under sharp criticism from the Azimio who have accused him of trying to create a one-party state.

"Ruto is assiduously wooing some of the leaders elected as Independents and on the Azimio coalition to defect to his side. This is the practice that was used in the KANU era to defeat the independence of the legislature and retard the growth of multiparty democracy," Raila Odinga Presidential Campaign Secretariat spokesperson, Makau Mutua, stated then.

President William Ruto (third right) receives former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana (third left) into Kenya Kwanza.
President William Ruto (third right) receives former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana (third left) into Kenya Kwanza.
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