Lang'ata MP Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang'o, has sparked debate after revealing that members of parliament received financial incentives during the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a candid interview with journalist Alex Mwakideu aired on July 28, Jalang'o acknowledged that MPs were financially rewarded during the vote but declined to specify the amounts involved.
"People ate well," Jalang'o said, indicating that both sides of the impeachment debate had benefitted financially. When asked if the money was enough to build a house, he responded that satisfaction varied depending on individual circumstances.
Response to Criticism on Paybill
Jalang'o also addressed criticism regarding his past use of a paybill during his 2022 electoral campaign, which some viewed as contradictory to his public condemnation of Edwin Sifuna’s paybill fundraising efforts.
He argued that while he could maintain a paybill, the president should forgo such fundraising channels, emphasizing that presidential campaigns require more substantial resources than what paybill collections can provide.
"The paybill is for young men, but if you want to be president, do away with the paybill and decide: do you want money or votes?" he stated, highlighting that reported collections of around KSh 500,000 over two days are insufficient to cover presidential campaign expenses.
Public Reaction
The interview has drawn mixed reactions online, with some expressing disillusionment over political financing and others questioning Jalang'o’s consistency on the issue.
- @omirenamangofficial: "Even if you come with stories, I choose Sifuna."
- @joseph_mureu: "May I never reach this point praising a man because of my pocket."
- @_mutwirieric: "In 2022, Jalas had a till number. I don't know what happened, but this guy used to be very smart."
- @aly_mboma: "Tutam."
