I Was Earning Much More Than My Current Salary As MP- Jalang'o

Lang'ata, Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang'o), on Saturday, April 8 refused to rule out a return to the media space, especially in radio, in the event he fails to defend his seat in 2027.

Speaking in an interview with Cynthia Mwangi on the Behind The Mic show, Jalang'o asserted that he would not hesitate to go back to pursuing his radio career among other ventures whereby he was earning more money than he is at the moment as a lawmaker in the midst of a salary crisis affecting civil servants and MPs.

He however remained committed to serving his constituents, noting that they would be the ones to judge his work ethic at the end of his current five-year term.

"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.

Felix Odiwuor a.k.a Jalang'o with ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna as he received his Life Membership certificate at Chungwa House on July 15, 2021. /ODM

"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.

Regarding his current term, he affirmed that he was committed to exercising his mandate, even though he divulged being targeted for an array of attacks both offline and online following his meeting with President William Ruto.

Jalang'o recalled encountering trolls online each time he posted something on his social media amidst calls to have him dewhipped for allegedly decamping from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, whose ticket he was elected on.

"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.

Nonetheless, he still maintained that he admired Raila despite the differences, adding that he had explained to the Azimio la Umoja coalition leader his decision to support the President over the former Prime Minister, noting that he was unhappy.

Raila on Thursday, April 6 renewed calls for amendments to the Constitution that will punish rebel Members of Parliament (MP) who change their loyalties.

“We recommend changes in the law that will instil 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.

Addressing the Azimio la Umoja Parliamentary Group Meeting in Machakos County, 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.

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).