Why Jalang’o Regrets Joining Politics!

 

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor alias Jalang’o has expressed profound regret about venturing into the political arena.

In a candid revelation on the "Alex Mwakideu Live" podcast, the first-term MP confessed he would have had no business getting into politics had he known the realities beforehand.

Jalang'o highlighted the immense financial strain as a primary reason for his disillusionment. Despite having earned well in his previous media career, he finds himself feeling "almost broke" now.He explained that a Member of Parliament is constantly expected to pay for everything, from community members at the gate asking for 1,000 or 2,000 shillings, to watchmen and even waiters coming out of the kitchen expecting payment simply because "Mheshimiwa has arrived".

“I wish I had never joined politics. Had I known this is how politics looks, I’d have had no business getting into this thing,” he said.

He tells Alex Mwakideu, "Number one, like my brother, if you have your own business that gives you money, you eat it yourself, your family... You have no business getting into this thing [politics]."

Beyond the financial drain, bureaucracy within the government poses a significant challenge and source of frustration for the MP. Jalang'o described the process as "a lot of back and forth," where delays in fund releases and budgetary constraints hinder project implementation.

He emphasized that "the buck doesn't stop with you" in politics, meaning even if a project is urgently needed, it might be delayed if funds are not released or allocated for that specific purpose.Having entered a new environment with a corporate mentality, it took him approximately six months just to settle in and understand how the government works, teaching him immense patience.

During the conversation, Jalang'o also touched upon the broader political landscape, particularly the high cost of campaigning. He mentioned that a presidential campaign budget of 1.5 billion shillings could last for only "three or four days".

He detailed how merchandise alone for 10 million voters could amount to 10 billion shillings, and the extensive travel, involving multiple choppers booked for months at 2 million shillings per hour, further escalates costs.

He also observed that politics in the country is heavily influenced by money and tribalism, rather than policy.

“During the campaign, I used to see money as water. It was about planning, planning, planning, and making sure. Today, Monday, I could have left home with 100,000 shillings in my pocket. Yes. And by Friday, I've only spent about 20,000.”

He contrasts this with his current situation: "Right now, when I sit with people down there, they already believe that you are an honorable person, you should pay even if you don't have to, you are the one who pays."