Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor, better known as Jalang’o, has advised comedian-turned-activist Eric Omondi to consider contesting for the Embakasi East parliamentary seat rather than taking him head-on in Lang’ata during the next general election.
In a social-media post, Jalang’o addressed Omondi directly after a poll by Mizani Africa placed him far ahead of the comedian in projected Lang’ata voter preference.
The poll, which has been widely circulated online, showed Jalang’o enjoying about 55.3 percent support in the constituency, while Omondi trailed with roughly 5.3 percent.
“When people have confidence in what you do!! I thank the people of Lang’ata for trusting me,” Jalang’o wrote. “@ericomondi, nipigie tuongee, uniwachie hii mbogi yako. Enda usimame Embakasi East, Babu anatoka anapanda juu.”
Though Jalang’o’s tone carried his signature humour, the message immediately triggered speculation about Eric Omondi’s political ambitions. The comedian has in recent months flirted with the idea of joining politics, frequently aligning himself with social-justice causes and leading charity campaigns across the country.
In a September 2023 interview with The Star, Omondi admitted he was “thinking of vying for the Lang’ata MP seat”, explaining that “the people’s voices are the voice of God.”
Earlier that year, he had also said he would consider joining politics “if given a chance.”
However, despite his increasing activism, Omondi has yet to make a formal declaration of candidacy or reveal which political party he intends to use.
The Mizani Africa survey, which triggered Jalang’o’s online jab, sought to gauge voter sentiment in several Nairobi constituencies ahead of the 2027 elections.
The poll placed Jalang’o as the favourite in Lang’ata, citing visibility, development projects, and grassroots engagement as key factors driving his popularity.
The same poll showed Omondi’s name recognition was high but his perceived “political seriousness” remained low, with many respondents associating him more with comedy and activism than legislative work.
Jalang’o’s move to publicly reference the poll was a calculated one — both to cement his confidence in Lang’ata and to steer potential competitors toward other political turf.
Jalang’o’s suggestion that Omondi should shift his ambitions to Embakasi East was not random.
The constituency’s current MP, Babu Owino, has repeatedly hinted at eyeing a national role, possibly in Nairobi County or at the national executive level. That would leave a potential opening in one of Nairobi’s most populous and youthful constituencies.
In the past two years, Omondi has reinvented himself from Kenya’s self-proclaimed “president of comedy” to one of the most visible activist-influencers in the country.
He has been arrested multiple times while leading protests over the cost of living, unemployment, and taxation policies.
His transformation has earned him both admiration and criticism: some hail him as a courageous voice for ordinary Kenyans, while others accuse him of theatrics designed to maintain relevance.
As of now, Eric Omondi has not responded directly to Jalang’o’s invitation to shift his focus to Embakasi East.