Flip flopping Jalang’o torn between Raila and Ruto
Lang’ata MP Jalang’o is torn between upholding his loyalty to ODM party leader Raila Odinga and currying favour with President William Ruto.
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Jalang’o appeared to flip flop on the matter having lately fallen out with ODM’s top leadership in the wake of his meeting with President Ruto at State House last month alongside seven other ODM legislators.
Even so, Jalang’o has backed Mr Odinga’s plans to lead his supporters in a march State House on Monday, to demand the removal of President Ruto from office.
“Baba said Monday will be a holiday, right? Baba’s word is final,” Jalang’o said, before adding he will only participate in the march if the day is gazetted as a public holiday.
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The first-time MP, who was addressing journalists on Tuesday during Betty Kyallo’s birthday party, also made it clear that at no time has he denounced ODM in public.
The former radio presenter has been alienated from the party since that meeting in State House.
His sentiments came after Mr Odinga declared Monday March 20, 2023 a public holiday in the culmination of his country-wide mass action against what he has termed as an illegitimate government.
“I hereby declare here today in the name of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition that Monday the 20th of March will be a public holiday,” Mr Odinga said on Monday.
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He spoke during Azimio la Umoja public baraza in Siaya County. The declaration does not, however, hold water under the Kenyan law.
The law vests the power to declare public holidays in the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Interior Ministry.
“The minister may at any time if he thinks fit, by notice in the Gazette, declare any day to be a public holiday either in addition to the days mentioned in the Schedule or in substitution for any of those days,” Section 3 of the Public Holidays Act states.
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