Jalango: My current salary is half of what I was making as radio host

Lang’ata MP Jalang’o has said his current salary is roughly half of what he was making as a radio and events host.

Speaking during an interview with NTV, Jalas said his motivation to join politics was to serve the people because if it were about money he would have remained in media and pushing campaigns.

He added that to be a leader one needs to look at the bigger picture which is representing the people who elected you without greed.

“If you join politics to make money you will suffer. Greed does not apply here. When I was in media I earned more than what I am getting now and it was for my own use.

“People say it’s a Sh1million but after tax that is around 820,000 which is roughly half of what I was making as a radio host,” he said.

Adding: “At the moment my salary has to cater to different needs of my constituents…there’s a funeral here, school fees there…it needs a lot of grace and goodwill.”

Abandoning ODM

Jalas was elected on an ODM party ticket but in recent weeks has been seen working with President Ruto, something his party does not approve of.

In February this year, the MP was kicked out of the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Parliamentary Group meeting at Maanzoni Lodge in Machakos County.

The Opposition MPs were meeting to chart the way forward on how to keep Ruto’s government in check and address hygiene issues within the party.

Jalang’o encountered resistance from a section of Azimio MPs and Senators who accused him of betraying ODM, and he was asked to leave.

The former radio host, however, maintains that he has not ditched the party, arguing that he has always defended the party and the party leader Raila Odinga.

“I have not abandoned ODM. I thank the party and party leader Raila Odinga for the chance I was given. I have been working with the current government and it all started when we went to State House for a sit-down with the President.

“I got a call from the President since he had just launched affordable housing in my constituency. After the meeting, the photos went viral and everyone assumed that we had ditched the party,” he said.

Jalas said he has since been excluded from all official communication channels of the party and feels like an orphan.

“It hurts because I feel like an orphan. I did not think it would get to this point but all this is happening because I am working with the president.

“I have talked to Baba so many times. I love and respect him but after the State House visit, most people do not want me near him. They look at me as a traitor,” he added.

Jalas also claimed that a number of ODM politicians would like to work with the President but they cannot come out in the open due to fear.

“Many ODM politicians would like to work with the president but they cannot do it publicly. Some just want to be seen on TV to appear loyal to the party.

“I am not like that. In Langata I am working with the people. In 2027 I will give them my scorecard. The voters will decide whether I will get a second term,” he remarked.