Lang'ata MP Jalang'o kicked out of Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting

Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o addressing journalists outside Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County on February 9, 2023 after he was thrown out of Azimio la Umoja Parliamentary Group meeting. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

Lang'ata Member of Parliament (MP) Felix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o was on Thursday afternoon kicked out of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Parliamentary Group meeting at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County.

The Opposition MPs were meeting to chart the way forward on how to keep President William Ruto's government in check, and at the same time address hygiene issues following the decision by some of its members to pledge loyalty to President Ruto.

Jalang'o had arrived at Maanzoni Lodge today morning and encountered resistance from a section of Azimio MPs and senators who accused him of betraying ODM, the party that sponsored him to the National Assembly.

However, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino stepped out of the meeting venue and walked in with Jalang'o.

When Azimio leader Raila Odinga arrived and settled a few minutes past noon, the former Prime Minister's bodyguard went to where Jalang'o was seated and asked him to leave the venue.

Speaking to The Standard outside Maanzoni Lodge, Jalang'o said he won't apologise for his political decisions.

"I'm shocked that I've been frogmarched outside the meeting venue. Nonetheless, my loyalty to ODM remains unwavering. I only visited State House to speak with the president on matters development. I did not tell him that I want to join his party," Jalang'o said.

"I'm being mistreated in a political party that I'm highly loyal to," he added.

After briefly addressing journalists, the lawmaker entered his vehicle and sped off.

Jalang'o was among seven ODM MPs who visited President William Ruto at State House on Tuesday, February 7.

The Head of State said his discussions with the opposition MPs were centered on development.

On Wednesday, the first-time legislator told Spice FM that President Ruto never asked them to ditch Odinga's political camp.

"It's wrong to claim that nearly ten of us (lawmakers) met the president at State House to discuss party leadership and [political] agenda. The president did not interrogate our support for Raila Odinga, neither were the ongoing Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya rallies mentioned. Our discussions were centred on development," Jalang'o said.

The lawmaker further that he'd attend the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting.

"As the opposition, we are at crossroads, and it's quite a tough political situation for us. The government is going on with its agenda, which is being opposed by the opposition. All said and done, the people of Kenya want development," he said.

Jalang'o added that nothing will stop him from "working" for his constituents by engaging the government of the day.