Jalang’o Declares Bid for Nairobi Senatorial Seat, Setting Up High-Profile Contest With Edwin Sifuna

 Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor, widely known as Jalang’o, has officially declared his intention to vie for the Nairobi Senate seat in the 2027 General Election, setting the stage for a major political showdown with incumbent Nairobi Senator and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. 

The announcement by the comedian-turned-politician on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, during a live interview on Radio 47 confirmed months of speculation surrounding his political future and ambitions beyond the National Assembly. 

Jalang’o, who was first elected as Lang’ata MP in 2022 on an ODM ticket, said his decision to pursue the senatorial seat stems from extensive grassroots engagement and a belief that he can better champion the interests of Nairobi residents in the Senate. He stressed that he would contest on an ODM ticket and align with whichever coalition the party joins in 2027. 

“I always make my own decisions and follow them through. I can be the Governor of Nairobi, I can be a Senator for Nairobi, or even the MP for Lang’ata, because I have been on the ground. I have seen, I have listened, and I have spoken to the people,” Jalang’o stated. 

His entry into the race signals a potential shift in Nairobi’s political landscape, where he could challenge Sifuna for leadership of Kenya’s capital county. Although Jalang’o and Sifuna are members of the same party, their contest reflects broader currents within ODM and the local electoral dynamics ahead of the 2027 polls. 

The declaration also comes amid internal party maneuvers and public speculation over alignments and succession planning within Lang’ata, with South C Ward MCA Abass Khalif expressing interest in the Lang’ata parliamentary seat — a move seen by observers as clearing the way for Jalang’o’s Senate ambitions.

For Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has previously affirmed his commitment to serve as Nairobi’s senator in the next term, the emerging primary contest within ODM adds pressure as party followers and political watchers anticipate competitive nomination battles ahead of the general election.