By Janet Nyanchoka
Langata legislator, Phelix Odiwour, popularly known as Jalang’o found himself in trouble Sunday through Monday after he claimed that he had seen witches in Kisii.
Apart from backlash on social media spearheaded by political leaders and residents of Gusii region, lawyers Danstan Omari and Sam Nyaberi threatened to sue the legislator, even as South Mugirango MP, Silvanus Osoro vowed to stand in solidarity with his Langata counterpart.
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Jalang’o who was addressing a Catholic congregation in Kitutu Chache North Constituency on Sunday had said that he saw about twelve witches attending a meeting on Saturday night.
The MP said he had travelled to Kisii ahead of a fundraising for several Catholic churches on invitation of Kitutu Chache North MP, Japheth Nyakundi.
“I slept at Marani Simba Lodge from whence I saw the meeting. I moved closer and learnt that it comprised of witches,” Jalang’o said.
There were a few murmurs at the meeting, but were subdued by ululations and applause.
Jalang’o saluted Nyakundi for lighting the constituency, saying continued electrification would chase witches out of the area.
Unedited footage of the MP speaking spread online on Sunday evening and for the better part of Monday.
Although the legislator who rose to fame through comedy was trying to project his host as a performer who had initiated various development projects including installation of electricity, the joke fell flat on a section of residents.
Some social media users who have spent years in Gusii region claimed that they had never seen a witch and wondered how “lucky” Jalang’o was to see not just one but twelve during his visit.
The remarks did not sit well with a section of leaders, including Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, who said, “Tribal profiling is the struggle we have lived with all our lives.”
“Nobody should define, me or my community, by the prejudices they hold.”
The vocal Senator said, “To claim that our people are only known for untoward vices such as night running is not only offensive, it is absurd!”
He said the remarks were irresponsible and unacceptable.
“Even as we acknowledge that tribal biases exist among Kenyans, we must demand honesty, sensitivity and reason when we speak of each other.”
He added that any individual who speaks about the community must do so with integrity, not with prejudice.
The MP had joined other leaders including Deputy President, Prof. Kithure Kindiki during the Sunday event where millions of shillings were raised in aid of several Catholic churches.
Meanwhile, laywers Omari and Nyaberi threatened to take legal action Jalang’o if he does not apologize following the remarks he made on Sunday.
Already, the lawyers have written to the MP asking him to retract the statement and apologise.
“You claimed that you had overheard a conversation involving members of the Kisii community, whom you inaccurately and unfairly described as “witchdoctors,” complaining about the disruption of their alleged nocturnal activities due to the electricity installations have had facilitated,” the letter reads.
The lawyers said the comments “are not only offensive, but they also constitute defamatory statements that severely undermine the dignity and respect of the Kisii community, while promoting harmful stereotypes.”
They now want the MP to issue a formal public apology, acknowledging the harm caused by his comments.
“The apology should be made in a manner that conveys sincerity, takes responsibility for your actions, and commits to preventing the recurrence of similar remarks in the future,” the letter states.
Through lawyer Melody Mageto, Omari and Nyaberi want the MP to cease and desist from making any further defamatory or discriminatory statements about the Gusii community, whether in public, private, or through any media channels.
The lawyers have already lodged a complaint to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) saying the utterances constitute to ethnic profiling, hate speech, and defamation.
According to them, Jalang’o referred to members of the Gusii community as “wachawi,” a derogatory term implying that the community members are engaged in traditional, harmful, and outdated practices.
“These comments were made in the context of discussing the installation of electricity in the area, wherein Mr. Odiwour inaccurately suggested that the community’s supposed nocturnal practices had been disrupted by the electricity installations,” they claim.
They argue that the offensive nature of the remarks is amplified by their public dissemination, which exacerbates the harm done to the community and undermines the values of unity, respect, and dignity that are fundamental to the Constitution of Kenya and the National Cohesion and Integration Act.
“NCIC should take appropriate disciplinary action, which may include issuing sanctions, penalties, or referrals to other relevant authorities,” the lawyers said.
However, some leaders felt that Jalang’o was being bullied and told him not to be shaken.
“Usikubali cyber-bullying over what you said ukiwa kwa mic. If one is not a witch, why would you bother na sio wewe Jalas aliona through the window?” Osoro, who is also the National Assembly’s Majority Leader wrote on his Facebook page, adding that people should stop being “petty”.
Even so, Jalang’o, who appeared to have succumbed to pressure was quoted as saying on Monday that his remarks had been distorted as he never intended to undermine, ridicule or injure the Gusii community.
-Additional reporting by Nyang’au Araka
