IN SHORT: A graphic circulating on social media in Kenya alleges that Jalang’o has resigned from his position as Lang’ata member of parliament. However, the electoral commission has denied this.
“I have written Resignation letter to the IEBC to declare Lang’ata parliamentary seat vacant to pave way for By-elections following my bitter fall-out with the ODM Party. I will defend my seat as an independent candidate,” reads a graphic that is circulating on Facebook in Kenya.
It attributes the quote to Kenyan politician Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, and features his photo. He is the member of parliament for Lang’ata constituency in Nairobi county.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is Kenya’s electoral body charged with organising and supervising elections.
On 6 September 2023, Odiwuor was expelled from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) for openly associating with and supporting activities of a rival political party. He has previously been labelled a “betrayer” because he chose to work with president William Ruto’s government despite ODM and party leader Raila Odinga barring him from doing so.
However, on 12 September, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal issued orders barring the ODM from expelling and deleting Odiwuor and other members from the party register.
The graphic has been shared here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.
So did the Lang’ata MP send a resignation letter to the IEBC?
IEBC: No formal communication from the MP
Africa Check reached out to the IEBC asking whether it had received Odiwuor’s resignation.
“This is to let you know that the Commission has not received any formal communication from the MP,” they responded, via email.
The commission said: “In addition, the MP alongside the others were granted stay orders by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal on 12th September, 2023. The information can be accessed in the Standard Newspaper of 13th September, 2023.”
In an interview on Vybez radio on 14 September, Odiwuor denied ever saying he had left the ODM and rejected rumours that he had resigned as an MP.
The circulating graphic alleging the resignation of the Lang’ata MP should be ignored.
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