Nairobi, Kenya — February 10, 2026: Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has formally declared his intention to contest the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election, setting up a potential showdown with ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna.
Jalang’o, who was elected on an ODM ticket in the 2022 General Election, made the announcement on Tuesday during an interview on Radio 47, signalling an early realignment in Nairobi’s increasingly competitive political landscape.
Political Signals and Early Alignments
Jalang’o’s announcement comes amid heightened speculation about his political future, fuelled by his recent joint public appearances with Lands Principal Secretary and former Lang’ata MP Nixon Korir, as well as Nairobi South C Ward MCA Abass Khalif.
Khalif has since declared his intention to vie for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat, further intensifying talk of a coordinated political strategy ahead of the next elections.
“Nothing Stops Me,” Says Jalang’o
Asked whether the engagements signalled his readiness to relinquish the Lang’ata seat, Jalang’o confirmed that he is indeed eyeing the Nairobi Senate seat.
“There is nothing that stops me from becoming the Senator of Nairobi or even the governor. I have walked in various parts of the country and come to understand what people need. I can confirm that I will be vying for the Senate seat in Nairobi,” he said, adding that he is fully prepared for the contest.
Pressure Mounts on Sifuna Within ODM
Jalang’o’s declaration is likely to further shake ODM’s internal dynamics, with Edwin Sifuna already facing growing pressure amid ongoing party wrangles.
Last week, ODM Party leader Oburu Odinga publicly rebuked Sifuna over claims questioning the legitimacy of the party leadership.
In a strongly worded letter issued on Friday, Oburu accused the Secretary General of contradiction and warned that “no one is bigger than the party.”
The Siaya Senator argued that Sifuna has, in recent months, struggled to separate personal opinion from official party policy, a situation he said has caused confusion among ODM members and supporters.
Sifuna Defiant on Ruto Government Support
Despite the criticism, Sifuna has maintained an openly defiant stance, particularly on ODM’s cooperation with President William Ruto’s government.
The Nairobi Senator has insisted that he will not resign from his role as Secretary General and has continued to publicly oppose ODM’s decision to support the Kenya Kwanza administration, a position that has drawn scrutiny from political observers and civil society groups such as Article 19 Eastern Africa and International IDEA.
