Kalonzo Defends Jalang'o After Raila Calls Him A Traitor

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has urged Members of Parliament (MP) allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition to forgive their Lang'ata counterpart, Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, who was subjected to criticism by party leader, Raila Odinga.

While addressing the Azimio Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting in Machakos County on Thursday, February 9, Kalonzo pleaded with the MPs to show tolerance for Jalang'o, adding that no lawmaker should be kicked out for consulting with President William Ruto's government on development projects.

He added that he would look for Jalas to talk to him after the PG meeting after he was earlier kicked out of the retreat which was also attended by top Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), DAP-Kenya, Jubilee, Wiper and NARC Kenya bosses.

“These people who went to State House the other day if there is an election to be called would they really? Poor Jalang'o in fact I was looking for him and I am still going to look for Jalang'o because he was here.

"We must also exercise tolerance. When somebody wants to say sorry, don’t throw them out," he said amidst murmured protests from MPs.

He empathised with the former Kiss FM presenter, noting that he was thrown into a terrible place mentally knowing that the neighbouring Kibra constituency became hostile territory for him.

“Imagine the state of mind poor Jalang'o is in because Kibra is now his hostile ground. You know you’re supposed to enjoy your tour of duty as an MP for your constituency,” he added.

To further convince the MPs to change their perceptions of him, he gave an example of Westlands MP, Tim Wanyonyi, who despite being elected to Parliament on an ODM ticket, has his brother, National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, who was President Ruto's ally even during the campaign period leading up to the general elections.

"I must congratulate our brother Tim Wanyonyi, and I'll tell you why. His brother is the Speaker of the National Assembly, but he is elected on an ODM ticket in Nairobi and he's here, he's not afraid.

"If anybody was to go to State House, surely Tim Wanyonyi should have been leading because the Speaker is there," he added.

During the same address, Raila was relentless against MPs who met Ruto at State House, accusing them of betraying the coalition while rubbishing their explanation that they were discussing development projects with the President.

Jalang'o found himself in a scuffle when a group of men blocked him from entering Maanzoni Lodge where the PG meeting was taking place, which triggered a commotion when his entourage went on to force their way into the venue.

The ex-comedian was then ordered by a close security guard to leave the venue, which he did not take lightly when asked to comment on the matter by the media.

"Minutes after I walked in, one of his (Raila) close security asked me to walk out, and that is what I did. I feel bad because I love baba and I am a member of ODM. I feel bad that I cannot be there since Raila is in there," he said.