Jalang'o: I am in ODM until Raila communicates to me

By Peter Ochieng

Lang’ata Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o maintains that he is in the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to stay.

On Wednesday, ODM’s National Executive Committee (NEC) expelled five legislatures among them Jalang’o, for going against party wishes by working closely with president William Ruto.

Speaking to Radio 47, Jalang’o said he has not received any communication from anyone within ODM concerning his expulsion, insisting that he remains in the party until leader Raila Odinga communicates to him.

He assured his supporters that he will serve as Lang’ata MP until 2027, before he decides on the next course of action.

"Chama ni ya Raila Amollo Odinga na kama sijapata habari kutoka kwa Raila mimi ni mwana ODM. Mbunge wa Lang'ata hadi 2027 ni mimi Phelix Odiwuor Jalang'o. Nataka uchukue hii habari ninakuambia upeleke benki wakukopeshe pesa kwa sababu ndio ukweli. Hakuna mabadiliko yoyote," Jalang'o said.

It translates to, “The party belongs to Raila Odinga and if I have not received communication from Raila, I remain in ODM. The MP for Lang’ata until 2027 is me Phelix Odiwuor Jalang’o. I want you to take this information I am giving you and take it to the bank so that they loan you money because it is the truth. Nothing will change.”

Besides Jalang’o, Elisha Ochieng’ Odhiambo (Gem MP), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Tom Ojienda (Senator of Kisumu County) were also suspended.

Reacting to the expulsion, Ochanda said they have been treated unfairly.

He said ‘they will not take the decision lying down.’

"What the party is doing is unfair. To us there is no mistake that we have ever done, visiting President William Ruto is not a mistake, going to State House is not a mistake. If the party insists on that route, we will have no choice but to challenge it from every level that is going to be available to us," he said.

On the other hand, ODM chairman John Mbadi insists the party will continue cracking the whip against revels.

“The code of conduct they signed was an agreement to comply with the party rules. The leaders unfortunately or blatantly disobeyed the party guidelines.”

He spoke during an interview on Ramogi FM.