Lang’ata MP Felix Oduor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has formally declared his intention to run for the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election, saying his first term in Parliament has prepared him for a broader oversight role at the county level.
In an interview with Radio 47 on Tuesday, the first-time legislator said his decision to seek the Senate seat is driven by confidence in his performance as an MP and a belief that the position offers a stronger platform to protect public resources and push for accountability in Nairobi.
Jalang’o said while he has the ability to pursue any elective office, including the governorship, the Senate best aligns with his focus on oversight and management of public funds.
“The work of an MP is oversight and management of public resources. I told myself that if we have delivered good results in Lang’ata, we can transform Nairobi as a whole by properly supervising county funds,” Jalang’o said.
He noted that his experience representing Lang’ata has given him a clear understanding of the challenges facing residents across the capital, arguing that many of these issues cut across constituencies.
The MP identified road infrastructure, sanitation, water supply, security and healthcare as some of the persistent concerns that require close monitoring and sustained attention at the county level.
As he outlined his bid, Jalang’o took aim at incumbent Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, praising his political skills but questioning his performance on oversight duties.
“I respect our Secretary General Sifuna. In politics, he has performed well, but on oversight, he has let us down,” Jalang’o said.
He argued that the Senate seat demands consistent engagement on issues affecting residents and questioned when the senator last publicly addressed key challenges facing Nairobi, adding that loyalty to a political party should not come before speaking up for the people.
Addressing criticism over his decision to seek a higher office after serving only one term, Jalang’o dismissed claims that he should wait longer before contesting, saying the law does not set any minimum period for serving in one position before seeking another.
He cited past political examples, including the rise of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, to back his position.
Jalang’o confirmed he will seek the Senate seat on an Orange Democratic Movement ticket and said he is confident of clinching the party’s nomination, whether ODM runs on its own or as part of a coalition.
He said the party’s nomination process would be the right platform to determine who carries the ODM flag in Nairobi.
The MP also rejected claims that his Senate bid is being supported by President William Ruto or driven by outside political interests in the capital, insisting the decision was personal and not part of any broader political scheme.
While reaffirming his loyalty to ODM, Jalang’o said he aligns himself with what he described as the party’s legitimate leadership and intends to focus his campaign on engaging voters directly rather than relying on political patronage.
