Langata Member of Parliament Felix Oduor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has maintained that he is a member of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, adding that he will attend the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance Coalition anti-government rally scheduled for today, Friday, February 10 in Machakos county.
Jalang’o’s statement comes just a day after he was chased away from Azimio’s Parliamentary Group meeting at Maanzoni Lodge in Mavoko following his meeting with eight other ODM MPs from Nyanza and President William Ruto in State House Nairobi on Tuesday, February 7.
Speaking to Milele FM radio presenter Alex Mwakideu and his co-host Jackline Nyaminde alias Wilbroda, Jalang’o said he would not leave ODM or Azimio for the Kenya Kwanza government.
“You people ( Mwakideu and Wilbroda) know me well. You know I love baba (Raila Odinga). I cannot leave him or ODM party for Kenya Kwanza, and today I must attend the rally in Machakos because I am an ODM MP,” Jalang’o said.
The Parliamentarian further described how he was bundled out of the Azimio meeting after Raila walked in, stating that he would still attend the Azimio rally scheduled for today in Machakos even if he would be chased away.
“If they (ODM party members) want, they can kill me, but I will attend today’s rally in Machakos,” the first-time MP and former radio show host said.
When asked why he didn’t seek permission from the ODM party leader, Jalang’o said that President Ruto is his friend and does not need permission from anyone to visit his friends.
“The President is my friend and Raila is my party leader. Mwakideu and Wilbroda both of you are my friends. Will you Mwakideu have a problem with me if I visit Wilbroda just because the two of you are not in good terms?” Jalang’o inquired.
He further stated that in the past months, he called Raila twice to inform him of two meetings with President.
“When Ruto was visiting Langata, Baba (Raila) called me and told me to welcome the President in my constituency. Even when TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institute) was being launched in Langata, baba called and instructed me to meet the President.
When Ruto called me and invited me to visit him at State House, I didn’t know that would be a problem,” Jalang’o said.