Kenya Insights

Tag: Jalang’o

  • If Babu Is Given The ODM Ticket, He Will Become Governor; MP Jalango Affirms

    If Babu Is Given The ODM Ticket, He Will Become Governor; MP Jalango Affirms

    NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 18 – Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has thrown his weight behind Embakasi East MP Babu Owino’s gubernatorial ambitions, declaring that Owino is poised to become the next Nairobi governor should he bag the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party ticket.

    Speaking during a lacal radio interview, Jalang’o stated with confidence that Owino’s growing popularity and political influence make him a formidable contender in the capital’s 2027 gubernatorial race.

    “If Babu Owino is given the ODM ticket today, he will become governor,” Jalang’o affirmed, adding that even without the party’s nod, Owino would still be a force to reckon with.

    The MP went further, suggesting that Babu’s political trajectory could stretch beyond the governorship.

    “Even if he’s not given the ticket, he’ll still cause waves he could even go higher and contest the presidency in 2032, when the seat becomes open after President Ruto finishes his second term,” he said.

    In a bold political forecast, Jalang’o also weighed in on the national political landscape, expressing belief that President William Ruto is likely to secure re-election in 2027.

    “It will be hard for anyone to remove Ruto right now. He’s on track to win again because, frankly, I haven’t seen anyone who can unseat him yet. That’s why he speaks with such confidence the political field is still his to control,” he remarked.

    If Babu Owino declares his candidacy for the Nairobi gubernatorial race, he is expected to face stiff competition from the incumbent, Governor Johnson Sakaja, who is widely anticipated to defend his seat in 2027.

    The Embakasi legislator however is yet to declare his intention to run for Nairobi governor seat and retains flexibility—viewing options in 2027 including president, governor, or re-election as MP.

    Babu Owino is currently serving his second consecutive term in the National Assembly. He was first elected in 2017 on an ODM ticket.

    In the 2022 general election, he successfully defended his seat, defeating his closest rival, UDA’s Francis Mureithi.

    Over the years, Babu has built a reputation as a vocal and controversial figure, consistently ranking among the most visible and active MPs in the country.

  • Lang’ata MP Jalang’o Faces Accusations of Land Grabbing in Karen

    Lang’ata MP Jalang’o Faces Accusations of Land Grabbing in Karen

    Lang’ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has been accused of an attempted land grabbing incident in Karen.

    An organization called The National Assembly of the Baha’is of Kenya reported that their security firm received a distress call from their guards stationed at a property on Muhusi Road, within the Mukoma residences area, on May 15, 2024.

    According to the report, the incident occurred at approximately 17:00 hrs when Jalang’o, accompanied by several other individuals, broke the gate of the property. The group then proceeded to tie the hands of the security guards and roughed them up, while Jalang’o allegedly pointed a gun at them, warning them not to be seen on the land again. The intruders then drove off in a black Range Rover, speeding away from the scene.

    The security guards, who suffered injuries during the assault, contacted their security firm, which responded to the scene and later reported the matter to Hardy Police Station. The incident was recorded, and a reference number OB#02/16/05/2024 was issued.

    The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Kenya, the owners of the property, has since alerted the Associations of Karen Langata and Mukoma Residence, of which they are members, to be vigilant of such intruders.

    Jalang’o, a former comedian and radio presenter, has only recently entered the political arena. His alleged involvement in this land grabbing incident has raised questions about his conduct and integrity as an elected official. The matter is currently under investigation, and it remains to be seen what consequences, if any, Jalang’o will face as a result of these allegations.

    Gold Fraud

    The latest incident adds to a pile of fraud allegations that have been circulating around against the MP.

    Ladt year In September, popular blogger Cyprian Nyakundi had stirred controversy by linking Lang’ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Odiwuor (known as Jalang’o), and two other lawmakers to a KSh 1 billion gold scam in Nairobi. According to Nyakundi’s expose, the saga revolved around a fraudulent gold deal involving a Tunisian national.

    Nyakundi alleged that Jalang’o, Nyaribari Chache’s Zaheer Jihanda, and Senator Allan Chesang of Trans Nzoia were part of a syndicate accused of defrauding the Tunisian national in a gold scam.

    The allegations suggested that the three politicians were involved in a scheme to sell fake gold and fake dollars to the Tunisian national, leading to a significant financial loss for the victim.

    In response to these allegations, Jalang’o, through his lawyers, had threatened legal action against Nyakundi, demanding a public retraction of the defamatory statements, an apology, and compensation for reputation damage and financial losses incurred due to the defamation.

    Nyakundi, however, remained defiant, stating that he was ready to face the trio in court and that the claims made in his blog and social media posts are factual. He also hired lawyer Donald Kipkorir to represent him in the case.

    The situation sparked a heated debate, with Nyakundi’s supporters arguing that he is exposing corruption among public figures, while critics accuse him of spreading unverified information and engaging in defamation.

    Jalang’o didn’t proceed with the case.

    Nyakundi had also made claims that the MP was implicated in a different case that had been forwarded to the FBI for investigation.