Tiktokers will show you love when you die, says Langata MP Jalang’o
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o has warned that Tiktokers cannot be ignored, they are a movement, yes, but they must also be responsible in the way they perceive life.
“They must strive to be decent in the way they present themselves to the rest of the world,” he told a press conference in Nairobi on Sunday, March 31.
He urged them – most of them youths – to learn from the demise of their fellow TikToker Brian Chira, who died in a road accident on March 16 and was buried 10 days later in Githunguri constituency, Kiambu County.
His funeral was attended by thousands of content creators who shone a spotlight on their strength in numbers and the unity they showcased.
“Chira’s death is a very big lesson…that many people will show you love when you are dead, but when you are alive in the wilderness of life, thirsty and hungry, no one will care. No one will even give you water to survive, but dare to die and see: they will bring you a well and an ocean,” he said.
Jalang’o said he had seen many of Chira’s roles, in which he agonised over what to eat, crying that he was hungry and had not paid his rent.
“While he remained in these dilemmas, the moment he died, there was a fundraiser that raised Sh8 million… Take me seriously, if Chira’s death did not teach you anything, then there is nothing else that can teach you,” he said.
He urged Tiktokers to know that they have friends, fans and supporters.
He said when he launched his political ambition, he had 2. 5 million followers on Instagram and over a million on Facebook, “but I went through hell trying to get over 30,000 votes”.
He said if online engagement was all it took to become a politician, he would have done it with ease.
“Never lie to yourself that your online fame means friendship…some are just there for gossip, stories…that sort of thing. Make real friends and set clear goals for yourself,” he said.