DNK International By Our Correspondent,Nairobi.
Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, is preparing for another major political contest as he sets his sights on the Nairobi senatorial seat in the 2027 General Election.
Jalang’o has build a career spanning entertainment, radio broadcasting, entrepreneurship and elective politics.
However, the lawmaker has recently found himself at the centre of political controversy following allegations by former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua linking him and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi to a group of alleged goons who reportedly marched to the Standard Group headquarters along Mombasa Road, Nairobi,on October 2 protesting the newspaper’s hard hitting headlines.
However, sources close to the two lawmakers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, denied that Jalang’o and Sudi organised or sponsored the alleged demonstration.
The controversy has brought renewed attention to Jalang’o, a politician whose journey from a humble upbringing in Homa Bay to national prominence has been marked by professional success, political ambition and occasional controversy.
Born Phelix Odiwuor Khodhe on April 27, 1983, he grew up in Homa Bay County in a family that experienced financial difficulties, circumstances that shaped his determination to succeed.
His early life was far removed from the celebrity lifestyle he would later enjoy.
After completing secondary school, he moved to Nairobi in search of opportunities and undertook various jobs to support himself before establishing a career in entertainment.
Jalang’o attended Lake Primary School in Homa Bay between 1990 and 1997 before proceeding to Nyang’oma Boys Secondary School, where he studied between 1998 and 2001.
Although he had an opportunity to join the prestigious Maseno School, financial difficulties reportedly prevented him from taking up the opportunity.
His education journey did not end with secondary school. Between 2014 and 2018, he studied at Daystar University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Community Development.
The course provided him with an academic foundation in community development, a field closely connected to his responsibilities as a constituency representative.
He later expressed interest in furthering his education, with reports indicating that he registered for a master’s degree at Daystar University.
Jalang’o’s professional journey as he told Daily News Kenya-International,previously began with humble jobs before he found his footing in acting, comedy and broadcasting.
He has spoken publicly about working as a fisherman and fishmonger in Homa Bay before moving to Nairobi, where he took up different jobs while pursuing opportunities in entertainment.
His breakthrough came through acting and comedy, particularly his appearance in the popular television series Papa Shirandula.
His performances helped him build a public profile and opened doors to corporate entertainment, event hosting and radio broadcasting.
The name Jalang’o subsequently became a recognisable brand in Kenya’s entertainment industry.
His radio career included working for Radio Africa Group, which operates Kiss FM, and the Standard Group, where he worked at Radio Maisha.
He also worked at Royal Media Services’ Hot 96 and Mediamax Network’s Milele FM before returning to Kiss FM.
At Kiss FM, he became known for his energetic presentation style and ability to engage audiences on entertainment, relationships, lifestyle and current affairs.
His time at Radio Maisha is particularly notable because it brought him into the Standard Group, the same media organisation whose headquarters later became the subject of the controversy surrounding the alleged demonstration.
According to his parliamentary profile, Jalang’o worked for Radio Africa Group from 2007 to 2013, the Standard Group from 2013 to 2017, Royal Media Services from 2017 to 2018, Mediamax Network from 2018 to 2020, and Radio Africa Group again from 2020 to 2022.
Beyond broadcasting, he ventured into business through Arena Media, where he served as director and chief executive officer.
His experience in marketing, advertising, communication and entertainment helped him develop networks across Kenya’s corporate and political circles.
He also became a sought.after master of ceremonies (MC) at corporate events, while his popularity on radio and television helped him secure commercial engagements.
His professional achievements included being named Radio Africa Limited Presenter of the Year in 2009 and receiving the OLXSoma Award for Media Personality of the Year in 2016.
Jalang’o’s decision to join politics was not an overnight development.
His growing popularity gave him a platform to engage with ordinary Kenyans, while his experience in media exposed him to public grievances and national political debates.
He announced his intention to contest the Lang’ata parliamentary seat ahead of the 2022 General Election, arguing that he wanted to move beyond entertaining audiences and participate directly in public service.
He joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the party that had established a strong political presence in Nairobi and other parts of the country under the leadership of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Jalang’o received ODM’s backing and entered the race against then incumbent MP Nixon Korir, who was seeking re-election on a United Democratic Alliance ticket.
In the August 2022 General Election, Jalang’o won the Lang’ata seat after securing 38,948 votes against Korir’s 36,836.
His victory marked a major transition from media personality to elected legislator, demonstrating that his popularity could translate into electoral support.
As Lang’ata MP, Jalang’o entered a political environment in which residents expected him to address infrastructure, education, youth unemployment, housing, healthcare and other challenges affecting the constituency.
His work as a legislator has involved representing constituents in the National Assembly, participating in parliamentary proceedings and advocating for development and the use of public resources.
Jalang’o has consistently presented himself as a leader interested in practical development and improving the lives of ordinary people.
His experience in community development has also featured in his explanation of why he pursued a degree in the field before entering elective politics.
One of the defining features of his parliamentary career has been his political relationship with President William Ruto.
Although he entered Parliament on an ODM ticket, Jalang’o developed a working relationship with the President and participated in engagements with the government that placed him at odds with sections of his party before the party officially joined broad based government.
His decision to engage with Ruto’s administration attracted criticism from some ODM supporters, who questioned whether he was remaining faithful to the political platform on which he was elected.
Jalang’o, however, defended his approach, arguing that engagement with the government could help him pursue development priorities for his constituents.
His position reflected the broader political debate within ODM over cooperation with the government and the extent to which elected representatives should engage the administration despite party differences.
His political choices have consequently made him a prominent figure in discussions about ODM’s future, the government’s relationship with opposition leaders and the emerging alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.
Jalang’o is now seeking to expand his political influence beyond Lang’ata by contesting the Nairobi Senate seat.
The Nairobi Senate race is expected to attract considerable political interest because of the county’s large electorate, economic importance and influence on national politics.
He has argued that his experience in Parliament has prepared him for the broader responsibility of overseeing county affairs.
His ambition, however, comes with political challenges.
He will have to convince voters that his record as Lang’ata MP, his understanding of Nairobi’s development needs and his political alliances make him the right candidate for the Senate.
He may also face competition within ODM, depending on the party’s nomination process and the number of aspirants seeking the ticket.
His relationship with the ruling administration could become an important campaign issue, particularly if voters and party supporters demand clarity on his political loyalties.
Jalang’o has previously offered a candid assessment of the financial realities of public service.
In a July 2023 interview reported in one of the local dailies he said that he had earned more in media than he did as a Member of Parliament.
“If you want to join Parliament to make money, you will suffer,” he said, adding that leadership should not be driven by greed.
The remarks offered a glimpse into how he viewed the transition from entertainment to politics.
While media work allowed him to earn an income from his professional activities, he said his political position came with expectations that he would contribute to the welfare of society.
His decision to pursue a university degree later in life also reflects his belief in education as a means of improving personal and professional prospects.
In remarks reported by The Standard newspaper recently, he credited comedian MC Jessy and a Daystar University administrator with encouraging him to return to school.
Jalang’o’s career illustrates how the media can provide a platform for political entry in Kenya.
His broadcasting experience helped him develop communication skills, public recognition and relationships that later became useful in his political campaign.
Nevertheless, popularity in entertainment does not automatically guarantee success in elective office.
His next challenge will be to demonstrate that he can convert his public recognition into a convincing record of legislative performance and countywide leadership.
The allegations linking him and Sudi to the reported demonstration at the Standard Group headquarters may also add another headache to him as he face it off.
For a politician seeking a seat that carries significant oversight responsibilities, transparency, accountability and respect for independent journalism are issues likely to remain important in the political debate.
As the 2027 General Election approaches, Jalang’o stands at a critical point in his political journey.
From his early struggles in Homa Bay to radio studios, television screens and the National Assembly, he has repeatedly reinvented himself.
Whether that experience will be enough to secure him a seat in the Senate remains to be seen.
What is clear is that the former broadcaster has moved beyond his entertainment identity and is now seeking a larger role in shaping Nairobi’s political and development agenda.
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🗓️ [Daily News Kenya-International@October 30,2026]
