Jalang’o: My late father would not have been happy with me becoming an MP
By Steve Ireri, September 24, 2026Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has opened up about the late father he wished had lived to witness some of the milestones he has achieved, including building his mother a home and becoming a Member of Parliament.
Speaking on the ‘Over 1M Podcast’ by Tony Mwirigi on Thursday, September 24, 2026, Jalang’o reflected on his father’s absence while looking back at the achievements he would have wanted him to see, saying one of his greatest wishes was for the late patriarch to have witnessed the home he built for his mother and the progress made by his siblings.
“One of the things I wish my dad was alive to witness is that I built my mum a home. I wish he was there to share a home with her,” Jalang’o said.
The Lang’ata legislator also recalled another milestone he believes would have made his father proud, noting that all his siblings had gone to school and graduated, before mentioning his own journey into politics.
“And my siblings, we have all gone to school, and we have all graduated. And also that I am a Member of Parliament,” he said.
However, Jalang’o acknowledged that his entry into politics was one of the aspects of his life that his father might not have celebrated, revealing that the late parent had envisioned a different career path for him.
“But it is life. And now some of these things I feel my father would not have been happy with,” he said.
The politician went on to reveal that his father had wanted him to become a doctor, partly because of the academic ability he had displayed while growing up.
“One thing he would not have been happy with is me being a Member of Parliament. He wanted me to be a doctor because I was a very sharp boy,” Jalang’o said.
The revelation offered a glimpse into the expectations his father had for him and the very different path his life eventually took, from entertainment and media to elective politics.
Jalang’o further suggested that even if his father had accepted his decision to enter politics, he might have preferred him to seek an elective position closer to their home area rather than represent the Lang’ata Constituency.
“Another thing, maybe he would have wanted me to be an MP in our home area. There are many things,” he said.
Despite acknowledging the possible differences between his father’s expectations and the path he ultimately followed, Jalang’o said he believed the late patriarch would still have felt proud of the man he became.
“But I think he would have just been proud of me also,” he said.