Jalang’o offers Tony Mwirigi a chance to interview Ruto, tells him to leave opinions aside
By Steve Ireri, September 24, 2026Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has offered to help broadcaster Tony Mwirigi secure an interview with President William Ruto, while advising him to avoid taking strongly opinionated positions if the opportunity materialises.
Jalang’o made the offer on Thursday, September 24, 2026, while reflecting on his own years in the media industry and the access he enjoyed to some of the country’s most prominent political figures before he transitioned into politics.
The lawmaker recalled hosting several senior political figures on his platforms, including Musalia Mudavadi, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
He said his experience in the media had enabled him to interview political leaders across the country, including presidents and other senior government officials.
“During that period when I was in media, many people came to my platform, even presidents. All. Musalia Mudavadi, DP Kindiki, Oscar Sudi, and Raila Odinga. I hosted everyone. Literally,” Jalang’o said.
The conversation then turned to Tony’s own ambitions in the media space, with Jalang’o expressing his willingness to help the broadcaster gain access to the President for an interview on his podcast.
Jalang’o told Tony that he could facilitate an opportunity for him to interview Ruto if he was interested, although he cautioned him about the approach he should take when speaking to the Head of State.
“If you want, I can organise you to host the President for an interview. If you want to. But don’t go to the interview with opinions and such stuff. Avoid those opinions. Maybe say, ‘I have this opinion because I can see this,’” Jalang’o said.
The advice appeared to centre on the need for Tony to approach such an interview primarily as an interviewer seeking answers rather than using the platform to advance his own personal views.
Tony immediately expressed interest in the proposal, telling Jalang’o that he would be ready to host Ruto before the end of the year if the opportunity could be arranged.
“Okay, so organise before December I host him,” Tony said.
Jalang’o, however, explained that securing a one-on-one podcast interview with the President could be difficult because of the demands on Ruto’s schedule and the number of podcasters seeking access to him.
The MP suggested that a different arrangement could be considered, involving several of the country’s leading podcasters sitting down with the President and taking turns asking questions.
“You know we are planning. But also, you know, for the President to do one podcast and the other is hard. But we can organise the top 10 podcasters, and you can be among them. You sit there with the President and ask him questions,” Jalang’o said.