Jalang’o: Winnie Odinga’s entry makes Nairobi Senate race more competitive, exciting

Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has welcomed East African Legislative Assembly MP Winnie Odinga’s entry into the Nairobi Senate race, describing the contest as more exciting and competitive.

Jalang’o, who is also eyeing the Nairobi Senate seat, said Winnie’s entry had raised the stakes in a contest that is expected to attract several aspirants.

He, however, maintained that her decision to join the race had not affected his ambition to clinch the seat, regardless of who else joins the contest.

“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 (Raila) did not bring us up to be afraid of anything. We are going to the wire. There is no giving up,” Jalang’o stated.

Winnie officially declared her intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat during the first anniversary celebration of her father, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, at Migwena Grounds in Bondo, Siaya County.

She said she would pursue the position alongside young people as she charts her political future.

“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,” Winnie said when announcing her bid.

The legislator welcomed Winnie’s decision to seek the seat, noting that she had a democratic right to contest alongside other aspirants.

“If she is finding her space in this senatorial bid, we are ready. ODM tuko tayari and it is her democratic right to vie just like any other aspirant,” he said.

Jalango added that the contest would ultimately be settled on the ground, signalling his readiness to face Winnie and the other aspirants in the campaigns and ODM nomination battle.

He also committed to supporting whoever emerges as the ODM candidate should he fail to secure the party 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,” Jalang’o said.

The Nairobi Senate contest has already begun attracting several aspirants seeking to succeed the current office holder.

Among those who have expressed interest are nominated Senator Crystal Asige, musician William Karuga Kimani, popularly known as KRG The Don, United Opposition youth leader Ken Babu, lawyer Cecil Miller and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo.