Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, alias Jalango/SCREENGRAB
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalango, has downplayed the political influence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, insisting that the capital’s political direction remains firmly tied to party structures and established voter loyalty.
Speaking during a media interview, Jalango dismissed claims that emerging political formations in Nairobi could unsettle his standing or future ambitions in the city’s leadership race.
He argued that while his rivals may be active politically, their influence has not translated into a dominant grassroots presence across the capital.
“I have not seen him having any meetings in Nairobi, so I don’t know. When I breathe the air, I feel ODM, not Sifuna or Linda Mwananchi,” Jalango said, suggesting that party loyalty still plays a decisive role in Nairobi politics.
His remarks appeared to directly challenge narratives that Sifuna and Babu Owino, both vocal opposition figures and influential legislators, are shaping a new political wave in the city.
Jalango maintained that Nairobi voters remain largely aligned to established political formations, particularly the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which continues to command strong support in key constituencies.
“These are Nairobi elected leaders and their strongholds would be Nairobi, but their first meetings have been outside the city,” he added.
He suggested that their political mobilisation efforts are not yet deeply rooted in the urban electorate they seek to influence.
Despite his dismissive tone, Jalango acknowledged that both leaders have their own loyal following.
However, he insisted that such support does not automatically translate into citywide dominance or the ability to unseat established political figures.
He further emphasised that ODM itself retains a strong base in Nairobi, arguing that political contests in the capital are often shaped more by party identity than individual personalities.
Jalango also responded firmly to suggestions that he could be politically “run out of town” by his rivals, dismissing the idea as unrealistic.
He projected confidence in his political standing and hinted at a more aggressive campaign strategy for his senatorial bid ahead of the 2027 general election.
“Babu and Sifuna cannot make me run out. I think you also think that Jalango is still the same Jalango," he said.
"It’s a very different Jalango, a different ball altogether. We will be with them, meet them, and we will be seen."
The Lang’ata MP, who has in recent months signalled interest in higher political office, reaffirmed his intention to contest the Nairobi senatorial seat in 2027.
He indicated that he is preparing for a highly competitive race.
“The war has not begun. You have not seen the kind of campaign I want to put in this city,” he said.
Jalango also addressed concerns over Nairobi’s vast and complex electorate, dismissing suggestions that the city may be too large or politically demanding for him to navigate successfully.
“The city is big, I’m also big,” he remarked, projecting confidence in his ability to mobilise support across diverse voter blocs.
On the broader political equation involving the ODM and the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Jalango said negotiations under the broad-based political arrangement would be key in determining candidates.
He noted that internal consensus-building would be necessary to avoid splitting votes within allied formations.
“We hope to go the broad-based way. That we shall come in, the negotiations will begin. One of the key things we want is to know, out of scientific findings, who are the strong candidates within the broad-based arrangement,” he said.
He added that fielding multiple candidates from allied parties in the same race would be counterproductive, especially in tightly contested urban seats such as Nairobi.
