Lang'ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang'o, has extended his warm birthday wishes to Raila Odinga as he marks his 79th birthday.
Despite the strain in his relationship with the ODM party, Jalang'o shared a photo of himself alongside the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party leader accompanied by a hearty message.
"Happy birthday Jakom! Happy Birthday baba! Happy 79th Agwambo! Thank you for everything! Forever indebted! You are a good man; you will go to heaven!" Jalang'o expressed.
Jalang'o in Azimio's bad books
In February 2023, the first-time politician was kicked out of Azimio's retreat that was taking place in Maanzoni Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County following his meeting with President William Ruto at State House.
The MP was first barred briefly before being allowed in when Azimio leader Raila Odinga walked into the event.
However, he was later kicked out for good and left abruptly.
"I came here because I am a member of ODM and Azimio. I was barred before later being allowed in when Baba walked in. Afterwards, I was asked to walk out. I feel bad but I can't regret it," Jalang’o told a journalist.
Further, the MP maintained that he shall not apologise for meeting President William Ruto although he feared he might be among the first members to be kicked out of the ODM party.
"I will not apologize for meeting the President. I'm still a member of the Azimio and ODM. This is politics," he added.
In his defence, Jalang'o maintained he met Ruto for development purposes.
The MP said, “If you’re not giving me what I want, I move, life is a movement.”
Jalang'o and the other ODM MPs were accused of dissenting against the party and showing support for the Kenya Kwanza government.
The party threatened to expel rebels within its ranks, including Kisumu Senator Tom Ojienda, Gideon Ochanda (Bondo), Caroli Omondi (Suba South), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Paul Abuor (Rongo), and Elisha Odhiambo (Bondo).
However, Jalang'o and the four got a reprieve after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal issued orders barring ODM from deleting their names from the party register.
A ruling by the Tribunal chairperson Desma Nungo granted conservatory orders staying ODM's decision to expel the five politicians from the party pending the hearing of their case.
