Jalang’o: Raila gave me Sh5million for my campaign
Langata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor aka Jalang’o has publicly acknowledged the support he received from ODM party leader Raila Odinga that enabled him to win the Lang’ata Parliamentary seat during last year’s General Election.
The first-term legislator disclosed that Mr Odinga not only endorsed him but also boosted his campaign with Sh5 million.
Speaking during an interview with TV47, Jalang’o expressed his gratitude to the opposition leader and ODM party which recently expelled him.
“Even my campaigns could have been very hard, and I know the big role Baba played in me being a member of parliament. He supported me by not only endorsing me but also financially,” Jalang’o said.
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“One day Baba told us to plan something, and he said he would come and grace it to support us in the elections. He gave me Sh5 million,” Jalang’o said, adding that without Mr Odinga’s support, winning the parliamentary seat would have been a big challenge.
During the interview, Jalang’o recounted how tough the campaigns were and Mr Odinga’s support proved crucial.
“It was fiery, it is not easy to beat an incumbent MP with the resources and everything,” he said.
Jalang’o has since fallen out of favour with Mr Odinga. He is among the five ‘rebel’ legislators who were recently expelled by the party for pledging support for President William Ruto.
Also read: Jalang’o responds to potential competition for Lang’ata seat ahead of 2027 polls
Apart from Jalang’o, the other legislators who were expelled by the party are Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Gideon Ochanda (Bondo) and Kisumu Senator Prof Tom Ojienda.
The party asked the legislators to resign and seek a fresh mandate from other political parties but the expulsion of these legislators was later stopped by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal.
However, Jalang’o maintains that he hasn’t done anything wrong and is still loyal to the party.
“Baba knows very well that Jalang’o is his son. Baba loves me so much, but the truth is, when politics takes over, even love and loyalty can be challenged. Politics is a game of chance, a snowball,” he said.
Despite his expulsion, the Lang’ata MP has said he will continue working with President Ruto.
Also read: Tribunal hands Jalang’o and other expelled ODM lawmakers reprieve