The “Orange” house is not just on fire—it’s in the middle of a full-scale demolition. In a move that has stunned political watchers, Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, widely known as Jalang’o, has declared he will challenge Edwin Sifuna for the Nairobi Senatorial seat in 2027.
Speaking at a raucous rally in Westlands, the former comedian signaled he is done with Lang’ata and ready for the “big league.”
The timing of the declaration proved prophetic; just one day later, Sifuna was fighting for his political life after the ODM National Executive Committee (NEC) attempted to purge him from his Secretary General role.
Jalang’o’s rhetoric was as sharp as it was personal. Referencing Sifuna’s ancestral home in Bungoma County, the MP told a cheering crowd that the Senator’s time in the capital is up.
“If he has to speak, let him. With these leaders, we will campaign fully. I will take Sifuna back to Kanduyi early the next morning,” Jalang’o declared.
The move is seen as a strategic exploitation of Sifuna’s current vulnerability.
Although the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) temporarily halted Sifuna’s removal on Thursday, February 12, Jalang’o’s “Westlands Invasion”—where he was flanked by five local MCAs—proves that the Senator’s grassroots support is being systematically dismantled from within.
As Jalang’o eyes the Senate, his own constituency of Lang’ata has become a playground for rival ambitions.
Eric Omondi, the comedian-turned-activist, was spotted in Lang’ata this week engaging youth and business owners in his “Sisi kwa Sisi” movement.
While Omondi claims he is only “listening to the people,” his presence has fueled rumors that a “Comedian-to-Comedian” handover might be on the cards for 2027.
Despite the fanfare, the “Jalang’o for Senator” brand is facing a massive wave of public skepticism. On social media, the hashtag #SifunaVsJalango saw thousands of Kenyans questioning the MP’s track record since moving from radio to Parliament.
“Brother, I can see you going back to acting in Papa Shirandula,” one user quipped, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who believe the Senatorial seat requires a “sober legal mind” like Sifuna’s rather than “entertainment value.”
However, Jalang’o remained defiant, telling critics that they “take his bid lightly” at their own peril.
As Nairobi prepares for a potentially explosive 2027 race, the city’s political future looks more like a blockbuster drama than a standard election.
