Lang’ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, has firmly stated that he will not step down from his parliamentary seat, despite pressure from his party, ODM (Orange Democratic Movement).
He argues that resigning would be premature as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has not been reconstituted to conduct a by-election.
Jalang’o made his stance clear during an interview on TV47, where he expressed his willingness to return to the ballot box if necessary.
However, he emphasized that currently, there is no functioning IEBC to oversee such a process.
“You resign now then you sit there waiting until IEBC will be created in 2026. That would be stupid of me, for lack of a better word,” he remarked, highlighting the impracticality of stepping down without the prospect of a timely by-election.
The MP also defended his meeting with President William Ruto, asserting that he had done nothing wrong to warrant his resignation.
He compared his meeting with Ruto to similar engagements involving prominent figures, such as former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“Saying that I resign will be validating the fact that I am wrong, yet I didn’t do any wrong. I met the President, who has not met the President. Baba himself has met the President, but people will say Baba is Baba and he can meet anyone. Jalas is also Jalas and he can also meet whoever he wants to meet,” Jalang’o explained.
This development follows ODM’s calls for Jalang’o and other rebel MPs, who were expelled from the party for defying its positions, to resign from their parliamentary seats.
Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda and MP Elisha Odhiambo (Gem) were among those expelled.
However, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal temporarily halted ODM’s expulsion of the three lawmakers after they challenged their removal, citing allegations of violating the party’s constitution.
