Aspiring Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor, alias Jalang’o, now says he expects to spend a maximum of Ksh.40 million in his campaigns ahead of the August polls.
Jalang’o, who has since secured the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party ticket to vie for the seat, told Citizen TV that the funds will go towards logistics.
“It is not about handouts or anything like that, but for a well-oiled campaign, it would easily cost about Ksh.30 million to Ksh.40 million so that you will be able to move into every single place and articulate your issues,” said the former Kiss FM presenter.
He claims that the COVID-19 pandemic, which he asserted harmed the country’s economy and exacerbated poverty levels, will force politicians to dig deeper into their pockets for the 2022 elections.
Read: Jalang’o Threatens to Quit Lang’ata MP Race If He Loses ODM Primaries
During the campaign season, Jalang’o believes, politicians are pushed to address a variety of issues affecting the public, including meeting the basic needs of their relatively poor constituents.
“This is going to be the most expensive election for any politician because we are coming from the pandemic and you can go to the ground to articulate issues out there but the situation forces you to go beyond selling your ideologies to giving food and help to people,” he said.
On how young politicians like himself generate money for campaigns, the comedian said he held fundraisers, put up kitties, and received donations from friends.
“I had my fundraiser in December 2021 in which a few friends put in a good amount of money for me to start my campaigns; and from time to time I have also had support from my constituency in Langa’ta,” he stated.
Read Also: Kiss FM Presenter Jalang’o To Leave Radio on February 9 for Politics
At the same time, Jalang’o pointed out that youthful politicians running on independent tickets have it worse in terms of finances and popularity than those who are sponsored by political parties.
In comparison to their colleagues who opt to become independent, he noted that a party’s popularity in particular places helps create a leeway for numerous lawmakers to win seats.
“The party is well-structured out there and makes it easy for you to even reach the people out there through its structures; the structures which make it easy for you to maneuver through the constituency and also make it better to have a party ticket than go independent.,” he said.
“You can’t deny how deep-rooted party politics is; it’s better to have a party ticket than go as an independent candidate.”
Read Also: ODM, Jubilee Urge DP Ruto To “Do the Right Thing” and Resign
Jalango’ garnered 3,509 votes, flooring his closest rival Oscar Omoke who got a paltry 1,612 votes in the just concluded ODM primaries.
Musaari Kahiga Syongoh came in third with 397 votes, followed by Wangusi Nathan Barasa (146), Sally Bolo (138), and Taa Vivienne (121).
The comedian turned politician will now face off with the incumbent Nixon Korir who is seeking to retain his seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
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