President William Ruto has again signalled support for Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, in the race for Nairobi senator, introducing him as “Seneta wa Nairobi” during a rally in Eldoret on Saturday.
The President made the remarks on Saturday as several leaders joined him in Eldoret City for a rally marking the seventh day of his North Rift tour.
The political declaration came barely a day after East African Legislative Assembly MP Winnie Odinga announced her intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a potentially bruising contest.
Jalang’o is among the aspirants seeking to succeed incumbent Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has declared interest in the presidency.
Ruto’s latest remarks appear to reinforce his earlier show of support for the first-term MP, whom he publicly associated with the Senate seat during a development tour of Dagoretti South in March.
“Niko na mheshimiwa Jalang’o, seneta wa Nairobi 2027,” Ruto told residents at the time, drawing cheers from the crowd, with Jalang’o responding: “Vijana tuko hapo.”
The President’s latest introduction of Jalang’o in Eldoret comes as the Nairobi Senate contest gains momentum, with Winnie’s entry adding a prominent name to a race that was already attracting several aspirants.
Winnie announced her bid Thursday, October 15, during the first anniversary commemoration of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.
She appeared to take a swipe at Sifuna, who has expressed interest in the presidency, saying she had identified an opportunity in Nairobi.
“Let it not be a rumour that as Edwin Sifuna searches for higher offices, I see there is a space. That is why I will stand for the senator of Nairobi,” she said.
Jalang’o has maintained that Winnie’s entry will not derail his ambition, instead arguing that it makes the contest more competitive.
“Winnie’s entry into the race makes it even more exciting, competitive and serious because the other people who announced their bid were not as serious. Baba did not bring us up to be afraid of anything. We are going to the wire. There is no giving up,” he said on Friday.
The Lang’ata MP has also said he is prepared to compete for the Orange Democratic Movement ticket and would support whoever wins the party nominations if he fails to secure the ticket.
“I am a member of ODM and a member of the broad-based government, and that is where we will fight. If I don’t get the ticket during the nominations, I will support the person who gets it,” he said.
Ruto’s remarks in Eldoret add a fresh political dimension to the contest, given his previous public endorsement of Jalang’o and the MP’s position within ODM and the broad-based government.
With Winnie now in the race and other aspirants also eyeing the seat, the contest is expected to test political alliances within ODM and the competing ambitions of leaders seeking elective office in Nairobi.
