Jalang’o: I thought I would meet Ruto alone at State House
Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o has defended himself against accusations of abandoning Azimio, saying he only met President William Ruto to discuss development matters within his constituency.
Mr Odiwuor who is among a group of Luo MPs who met the head of State on Tuesday, said he went to State House after being called by the president.
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According to him, he had no idea that he would meet his colleagues there nor take pictures that would later expose them as “rebels”.
There is an ongoing debate about what the legislators were up to when they met the president, with some of their critics daring them to resign from ODM.
All the MPs have been branded names meant to taint their images.
Mr Odiwuor, however defended himself from any blame, saying he was serving the interest of his constituents, who he described as taxpayers.
“I will not engage in any activities that have not been sanctioned by my party leader Raila Odinga. I have consulted him in the past when I want to engaged on any activities with the government,” he said.
He added, “There is nothing wrong if I visit the president. I may even return if he invites me to the State House.”
@nairobi.news Jalang’o: Don’t question my loyalty to Raila Odinga #politics #Jalango #Raila #Ruto #FYP #Viral
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The MP said he was called by the president who he described as his friend to discuss the progress of the construction of affordable houses in his constituency.
According to him, the commander-in-chief wanted to inform him about the arrival of construction workers at the site after a groundbreaking ceremony was held last year.
“He also called me a day after we met. But the discussion was about why I was being crucified by my party members,” Mr Odiwuor said.
He spoke on Ramogi TV during a Wednesday night interview.
At the state House meeting, Mr Odiwuor revealed, the legislators were discussing what the Kenya Kwanza government promised when President Ruto visited Homa Bay and Siaya in January.
But since he had found himself in the discussion, Mr Odiwuor said, he could not hesitate to present some of the issues he wanted the government to address within the Lang’ata constituency.
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Among them is the employment of artisans at the affordable housing project.
Mr Odiwuor said his constituency should have a technical training institute whose students will be local residents.
“The government intends to put up at least 4000 units in Langa’ata within three years. Source of labour should be from the area,” he said.
There have also been speculations that the legislators were given money during the visit.
Mr Odiwuor dismissed this saying he never pocketed anything from the State House.
“I am still a strong follower of jakom (Raila) and will accompany him to all weekly rallies he has organised,” he said.
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