"Deeply Hurt": Jalang'o Addresses Kisii Night Runner Controversy

Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor popularly known as Jalang’o has broken his silence after being heavily criticized by a section of the Kisii community for his account of witchcraft in the area.

Jalang’o found himself under intense pressure with some demanding that he apologizes to the Abagusii community for claiming that he encountered witches in one of the hotels he stayed at.

Speaking on Sunday at a church service attended by the deputy president Kithure Kindiki and other leaders in Marani area of ​​Kisii County, Jalang’o claimed to have witnessed a gathering of people he believes were witches in one of the hotels he had booked for a night.

"Yesterday I came here early and slept here in Marani, while I was there I found that there was some kind of meeting going on. About 12 people were sitting aside talking. I said let me put my ears close to hear who they were. It was a meeting of witches," he narrated.

The MP claimed to have overheard them discussing how the area MP, Japheth Nyakundi has dealt them a blow by installing security lights everywhere which hinders their night-time activities.

“They say Japhe has ruined their jobs. They are the ones who run at night and because Japhe has decided to install electricity everywhere now, there is no place for them to do their night work, there is no night-running. And you know Japhe has installed the lights than illuminate more when you get closer,” Jalang’o added.

These remarks seemed to have offended some people from the area who flooded social media asking him to apologize.

Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka led the charge against Jalang’o, saying that his remarks were racial discrimination disguised as a joke.

“TRIBAL PROFILING is a FIGHT we have lived with our entire lives. NO ONE should call me who they think I am. For someone to say that our community is only good at bad behavior like running at night is just plain stupid and beyond ridiculous,” the senator said.

However, Jalang’o via his Facebook page denied mocking members of the Abagusii community for witchcraft, insisting that he may have been misquoted.

He urged those pressuring him to denounce his remarks to refer to the clip to understand the meaning and context of his remarks, adding that he has great respect for people from the community.

“I have seen the reports about what was said during my visit to Kisii yesterday, and I am deeply hurt by the way my words have been misrepresented. It pains me to hear that anyone would think I would ever insult or look down upon the Kisii community. That is simply not who I am.”

“The Kisii people are my friends, my colleagues, my neighbors — they are my family. I would never allow profiling or disrespect to come from my mouth or my heart. Please, I ask you to take a moment to watch the full clip and understand the true context. I value and respect the Kisii community deeply, today and always,” Jalang’o explained.