Phelix Odiwuor Explained

Honorific-Prefix:Honourabe
Phelix Khodhe
Office:Member of Parliament for Langata Constituency[1]
Term Start:8 September 2022
Predecessor:Nixon Korir
Birth Name:Phelix Odiwuor Kodhe
Birth Date:27 April 1983
Birth Place:Homa Bay, Kenya
Nationality:Kenyan
Education:Daystar University, Bachelor of Arts in Community Development
Occupation:Politician
Profession:Newsreader, anchorman, presenter, actor and master of ceremonies
Nickname:Jalang'o or Jalas

Phelix Odiwuor Khodhe, more popularly known as Jalang'o / Jalas or Heavy J Baba is a Kenyan Politician- Current member of parliament for Langata Constituency which he won on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party ticket against his predecessor Hon.Nixon Kiprotich Korir.[2] [3] Prior to his political ambitions, Jalas was also a radio presenter, comedian, actor, events master of ceremonies (MC), talk show host and philanthropist celebrity in Kenya.[4]

Early life and education

Jalas was born on April 27, 1980, in Homa Bay town, rural Kenya. For his early education, he attended Homabay Lake Primary School in Homa Bay County and Nyang'oma Boys Secondary School in Siaya County. He later joined Daystar University where he graduated on 13 November 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Community Development degree.

Career

Odiwuor appeared as Jalang'o in Citizen TV's Papa Shirandula, and that's how he earned this stage name, later shortened to 'Jalas'.

He began his career as a radio presenter in 2004, where he worked alongside veteran media personality Caroline Mutoko. He then transitioned to Radio Maisha[5] in 2012, after which he later moved on to Hot 96 FM in 2017 till 2018 when he moved to Radio Milele.[6] In July 2020, Odiwuor went back to where he began his radio career as a morning presenter at Kiss 100 where he was a co-host to Kamene Goro. He also started his own company, Arena Media, which does advertising and marketing. He also does brand ambassador jobs for various corporate brands.[7]

Odiwuor has a YouTube channel, Jalang'o TV, where he interviews personalities from various walks of life.[8]

Controversy

In August 2021, the Daily Nation and The Standard reported Odiwuor as implicated in being a member of a Nairobi-based criminal syndicate involved in a variety of advance-fee scams including Black money scams, sometimes even drug trafficking, armed robbery, contract killings, and enforced kidnappings in Kenya.[9] [10] [11] According to the articles Odiwour is involved in money laundering of ill-gotten wealth through legitimate businesses that then receive criminal proceeds as part of sales of the legitimate business and consequently deposited into bank accounts of the legitimate business.[12] He was accused among other members of the gang of being a silent partner in the numerous scams by using publicity and his day job as a decoy of criminal activities for the gang.[13] According to the articles, the gang engages in violent confrontations, contract killings, mysterious deaths and enforced kidnappings in subsequent cover up activities.[11] [13] [14] [12]

Politics

As a candidate for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), he was elected MP for Langata Constituency in the 2022 Kenyan general election[15] after defeating his opponent Hon. Nixon Kiprotich Korir.[16] [17] [18]

References

  1. Web site: Comedian Jalang'o wins Lang'ata MP seat . 11 August 2022 .
  2. Web site: Jalang'o declared winner in Lang'ata MP race. Standard. Digital. Standard Entertainment.
  3. Web site: Citizen Digital . 11 August 2022 .
  4. Web site: Pulse Live . 2 September 2021 .
  5. Web site: Radio Maisha online. 2021-08-03. Radio.or.ke. en.
  6. News: 2018-06-11. The untold story of Jalang'o.
  7. Web site: Jalang'o explains the source of his wealth. 2021-11-22. The Star. en-KE.
  8. Web site: Home. 2021-08-03. Jalango TV - Kenya No.1 Online TV. en-KE.
  9. News: Kimuyu . Hillary . Jalang'o: I'm not involved in 'Wash Wash' . . 30 August 2021.
  10. News: Reporter . K24 . Jalang'o distances self from wash wash business . K24 TV . 30 August 2021.
  11. Web site: Kamaris . Karecha . Nairobi Underground Figure Dafton Mwaitiki Feared Dead; All Eyes On Steve Mbogo – Cyprian Is Nyakundi . . 14 March 2020.
  12. News: Blogger Edgar Obare Exposes Wash Wash Cartels Who Worked With Kevin Omwenga . KahawaTungu . 29 August 2021.
  13. News: Nyambura . Eva . Jalang'o Denies Involvement in Dubious Deals Implicating "Flamboyant Businessmen" (Video) . KahawaTungu . 30 August 2021.
  14. News: Kimani . Brian . Edgar Obare: My Brother has Been Kidnapped and Tortured . Kenyans.co.ke . 5 September 2021 . EN.
  15. Web site: Musalia . Wycliffe . 2022-08-18 . "Make it yours": Lang'ata MP-elect gives 80% shares of TV channel to employees . 2022-08-23 . Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. . en.
  16. Web site: KTN News . .
  17. Web site: Lang'ata MP Nixon Korir concedes defeat before final tally. Jacqueline. Mahugu. The Standard.
  18. Web site: Lang'ata MP Korir concedes defeat, congratulates Jalang'o. The Star.