I'm Ready to Serve 1 Term - Jalang'o Laments on Fallout With Raila

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 Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang'o), on Saturday, April 8, maintained that his conscience was clear following the backlash he received after pledging support to President William Ruto.

During an interview, the lawmaker noted that he was content with serving one term if that would be the consequence for falling out with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and the ODM party.

He explained that his main goal was to serve his constituents, who will judge him after his first term.

On the other hand, the lawmaker revealed that he had been targeted after meeting Ruto at State on February 7 alongside other members of the ODM party.

Lang'ata MP Phelix 'Jalang'o' Odiwuor , President William Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua at State House Nairobi on February 7, 2023
Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, President William Ruto and DP Rigathi Gachagua at State House Nairobi on February 7, 2023.
PCS

Further, the MP divulged that he was often trolled online each time he made any posts on his social media accounts.

"I am being even targeted sometimes and it has been so much. But even if anything happens, my conscience is clear that I want to deliver for the people of Lang'ata. So be it, even if it is one term," Jalang'o stated.

He asserted that he would venture into other things, such as returning to the radio if he failed to clinch his seat in the 2027 General Election.

"These things don't move me. I have left better salaries than what I am earning as MP. You even saw Mumias MP Peter Salaysa's post. He was earning Ksh96,000. Maybe I am earning less.

"It won't change anything. I can go back to Jalang'o TV any day. I was earning much more than what I earn in parliament. My conscience is very clear that I want to serve the people and they will judge me after five years," he stated.

Nonetheless, he maintained that he still admired Raila despite the differences.

He added that he explained his decision to support the President to the party leader, acknowledging that he was unhappy.

Meanwhile, the ODM party is pushing to have MPs who decamped to the government side be dewhipped as part of the set bipartisan talks.

"The joint committee should review and recommend changes in the law that will entrench party discipline/fidelity by requiring MPs who cross party lines after elections to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate and allow parties to replace nominated MPs who cross party lines," Azimio's statement read in part.

A photo of Raila Odinga addressing supporters on Monday, March 27, 2023
A photo of Raila Odinga addressing supporters on Monday, March 27, 2023.
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Azimio TV