Phelix Odiwour, a Lang'ata Member of Parliament known as Jalang'o, has emphasized that recent visits to State House by presumed opposition rebels are all about development and nothing political.

In an interview with NTV on Monday evening, Jalang'o defended Raila Odinga's political clout, saying that no one should imagine the opposition leader's grasp on his Nyanza political heartland would be affected by his visits to State House.

PHOTO | COURTESY Jalang'o and Raila

"Kujaribu na kuwa na dhana kuwa alivyo shikilia Nyanza ni ndoto ya mchana." Watu wawili tu, Nyanza wanaskiza... Raila's Mungu na Baba. Kuonyesha ati sisi ndio kusema hatujaenda kule (State House). "Mkutano na rais ni maendeleo," Jalang'o stated.

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"Baba ni baba," he says. Wacha baba aitwe baba siku zote," the Lang'ata MP added.

He said that Nyanza officials who have recently visited the State House have been attempting to organize resources for development in their respective regions.

Meanwhile, the MP says he does not regret working with the President and should not be interpreted as a betrayal.

According to Jalang'o, he opted to cooperate with President Ruto after Supreme Court judges certified his election victory and after realizing that the head of state has a vision for the country that he shares.

PHOTO | COURTESY Jalang'o 

Since his election, Jalang'o has been caught on the wrong side of the party's interests on several occasions. He still faces disciplinary action by the party for meeting President Ruto. The MP is also set to face another disciplinary committee for failing to show up to vote on the finance bill 2023.

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna added that the party had since sent show-cause letters to the 28 members who either supported the bill or were not present while it was being voted on.

PHOTO | COURTESY Jalang'o 

The contentious Bill, hotly opposed by the opposition, easily passed its second reading on Tuesday night, with 176 MPs voting in favour and only 81 voting against.

Caroli Omondi (Suba MP), Aden Adow Mohamed (Wajir South MP), Esther Passaris (Nairobi Woman Rep), and Elisha Ochieng Odhiambo (Gem MP) were among the ODM MPs who supported the Bill, according to Sifuna's statement.