NAIROBI, Kenya — Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, is positioning himself for a possible bid for the Nairobi Senate seat, following a high-level political meeting aimed at managing succession and alliance dynamics within the city.
The meeting, held on Sunday, reportedly resolved that the first-term legislator shifts his political focus from Lang’ata constituency to the county-wide Senate race.
It is said to have been convened by Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir and brought together Jalang’o and his former rival, South C MCA Ibrahim Abbas Khalif.
Sources familiar with the discussions say the talks were driven by concerns that Abbas’s ambition to move from County Hall to Parliament could complicate the Broad-Based Government’s political calculus in Nairobi, given that both leaders are supporters of President William Ruto.
With the President’s blessing, PS Korir, himself a former Lang’ata MP, is said to have urged the two politicians to agree on a formula that would avoid fracturing Ruto’s support base in the capital.
Under the arrangement, Korir reportedly persuaded Abbas to back Jalang’o’s Senate bid, with the MP in turn expected to mobilise support for Abbas to succeed him in Lang’ata.
On Tuesday morning, Jalang’o publicly hinted at his Senate ambitions during a radio interview, setting the stage for a potential contest against ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the incumbent Nairobi Senator.
Speaking on Radio 47’s breakfast show, Jalang’o said his decision to seek the seat was personal and informed by his political experience and engagement with Nairobi residents.
The MP insisted that his move was not influenced by external pressure, including from President Ruto, but was based on his own assessment of the city’s political landscape.
“Nawania kiti cha senator…Mimi huamua na naendea. Mimi nakuambia naweza kuwa gavana wa Nairobi, na naweza kuwa seneta wa Nairobi, na naweza kuwa mbunge wa Lang’ata, na naweza kuwa mbunge wa pahali popote hapa Nairobi. Maana nimetembea, nimesikia, nimewaongelesha… why not? Nitaendea!”
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(I make my decisions and I go for them. I’m telling you, I can be the Governor of Nairobi, I can be the Senator for Nairobi, I can be the MP for Lang’ata, and I can be an MP anywhere here in Nairobi. I’ve moved around, I’ve listened, I’ve spoken to people, so why not? I will go for it!)
Jalang’o made the remarks during a discussion hosted by Emmanuel Mwashumbe and Alex Mwakideu.
Meanwhile, Abbas has continued to signal his parliamentary ambitions. Last December, the MCA sponsored a football tournament whose finals were held at Ulinzi Stadium in Lang’ata, where the winning team received a minibus, while the second- and third-placed teams were awarded a van and a Probox, respectively, a move widely seen as part of early grassroots mobilisation.
The emerging realignment highlights the growing political manoeuvring ahead of the next general election, with Nairobi shaping up as a critical battleground for both ruling coalition allies and opposition figures.
