Aston Lukoye
Lang’ata, Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor popularly known as Jalang’o has hinted at returning to media in the event he is unsuccessful in retaining his seat in 2027.
In an exclusive with Cynthia Mwangi of Behind the Mic show, Jalang’o said he would not be reluctant to return to his radio job or other pursuits if they paid more than his current salary as a lawmaker in the midst of a pay crisis that is affecting MPs and civil officials in an interview with Cynthia Mwangi for the Behind The Mic show.
He however vowed to serve his constituents, saying that they would be the ones to evaluate his work ethic at the end of his current five-year tenure.
“These things don’t move me. I have left salaries bigger than what I am earning as MP; we are paid some million shillings and after the deductions and all these mortgages. You even saw Mumias MP Peter Salaysa’s post. He was earning Ksh96,000. Maybe I am earning less.
“It won’t change anything. I can go back to Jalang’o TV any day. I was earning much more than what I earned in parliament. My conscience is very clear that I want to serve the people and they will judge me after five years,” the legislator stated.
He acknowledged that he had come under countless attacks both offline and online after meeting with President William Ruto, but he insisted that he was committed to carrying out his duties throughout his current term.
“I am being even targeted sometimes and it has been so much. But even if anything happens, my conscience is clear that I want to deliver for the people of Lang’ata. So be it, even if it is one term,” Jalang’o stated.
He added that he had explained his choice to support the President over the former Prime Minister to the leader of the Azimio la Umoja coalition and that he was angry, but he insisted that he still liked Raila despite their differences.
Speaking while addressing the Azimio la Umoja Parliamentary Group Meeting in Machakos County on April 6, Raila lamented that some MPs elected under the coalition had gone rogue and needed to be stopped for blatantly disobeying directives of the parties that sponsored their road to the 13th Parliament.
“We recommend changes in the law that will instill party discipline by requiring MPs who cross party lines after the elections to seek a fresh mandate from the electorate and to allow parties to replace nominated MPs who cross party lines,” Raila stated.
During the meeting, the Azimio coalition took action by resolving to eject nominated MP Sabina Chege from her position as the Deputy Minority Whip of the National Assembly (NA).
