Former radio presenter and comedian Phelix Odiwuor popularly known as Jalang’o has found himself in a difficult situation again five months later.
In April, the Member of Parliament found a way out after announcing his position to collaborate with the government to work for the benefit of those who elect him. However, the Member of Parliament was severely scolded by fellow members of the ODM coalition party and some of his supporters on suspicion of betraying his ODM party, from that month the eyes of the party were staring at him while his loyalty to the party wavered.
Four months later, in July, Jalang’o bowed to the side of his party leader Raila Odiga when they met again at the compound of MP Caleb Hamisi who had a party to celebrate his daughter’s birthday. The MP for Saboti had invited several politicians including the leader of the opposition coalition party of the Azimio la Umoja Raila Odinga who responded to the call and arrived at his compound with other members of that party.
It was there, that Raila met Jalang’o who it is reported that the last time they saw each other was four months ago when he ordered the MP to be expelled from the Azimio meeting held in Machakos county. During the meeting, the bodyguards of the opposition leader were seen expelling Jalang’o from the meeting after the Member of Parliament and his colleagues violated party rules and visited the Nairobi palace where they met with President William Ruto despite Azimio insisting at the time that they did not recognize Ruto as president of the republic of Kenya.
The MP later emphasized his position to cooperate with Ruto in what he said was to bring development to his constituents in Lang’ata and thus continued to ignore his party’s call not to cooperate with the government. The series of misfortunes seems to have stuck in Jalang’o as the situation is not the same on Wednesday 6th of September Jalang’o and four other leaders were caught in the trap of the Azimio coalition again and expelled from the ODM party following the NEC meeting held in the city Nairobi.
Jalang’o, Gem Member of Parliament Elisha Odhiambo, Bondo Member of Parliament Gideon Ochanda, South Suba Member of Parliament Caroli Omondi and Kisumu senator Tom Ojienda were all expelled from the party led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga for alleged misconduct and disobedience party position. Following the move, the former radio host took to his Instagram page where he shared a message of encouragement.
“No test is too heavy to lift!” Jalang’o wrote.
The first-term Member of Parliament attached his statement with a photo of his memory after last year’s general election where he was seen carrying a large box of evidence in court during the case of the Azimio la Umoja coalition against the victory of incumbent President William Samoei Ruto. Adding to his statement, Jalang’o also shared a Bible verse from the book of Corinthians 10:3 which talks about God helping His people overcome trials.
“There is no test passed that is not normal for humans. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but along with the temptation he will make a door to get out, so that you can endure it,” that verse of the Bible says.
In its statement, the ODM party said that they sacked the five leaders because they opposed the resolutions issued by the party.
“The members are facing suspicions of violation of Article 11 (1) (e) of the party’s constitution and Article 14A of the Political Parties Act of 2011 for engaging in and supporting the activities of the opposition party and opposing legitimate decisions/resolutions issued by the party. Party organs, should be considered as having resigned from the party,” read the statement. “The party is ordered to start the process of removing them from the party register.”
The NEC meeting called by Raila himself came about a month after the members appeared before a committee chaired by Sihanya to defend themselves against accusations of misconduct.
