Jalang’o Fined 1,000 Cows, 5,000 Goats and Sheep Over ‘Kisii Witches’ Remark

Lang’ata Member of Parliament Felix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, has been slapped with a hefty cultural fine by Kisii elders following a controversial statement he made during a fundraising event in Kitutu Chache North. The MP’s remark about overhearing a secret witches’ meeting in Kisii County has caused an uproar, leading to calls for reparations to settle the matter.

During the event, Jalang’o shared an anecdote in which he claimed to have eavesdropped on a group of 12 individuals who were purportedly witchdoctors, discussing how their night-time activities had been disrupted by newly installed street lights in the area. “The lights have interfered with night runners. Some of the street lights are motion-detected, and this has affected their work,” Jalang’o humorously stated.

The comment, which Jalang’o later clarified as a joke, was met with intense backlash from the Kisii community. Nairobi County’s Chief Environment Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, condemned the statement, asserting that the MP’s words had deeply offended the people of Kisii. In a statement, Mosiria called for a traditional cultural fine to be imposed on Jalang’o as an apology to the community.

According to Mosiria, the MP must provide 1,000 cows, 2,000 goats, 3,000 male sheep, and 1,000 pots of busaa, a traditional alcoholic brew, for the meeting. The total cost of the livestock alone is estimated to be around Ksh105 million. Mosiria explained that the animals would be slaughtered in a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, and the meeting would be held at Manga Hills, where Jalang’o is expected to meet with the Kisii elders.

Mosiria also expressed the significance of respecting secrecy in Kisii culture, emphasizing that matters done in private should remain confidential. “We are not witches. Such meetings do not exist in our homeland. What is witnessed in secrecy should remain a secret,” Mosiria said.

In response to the controversy, Jalang’o issued an apology on social media, expressing regret for any offense caused. “My heart is heavy seeing my words misquoted. I hold deep love and respect for the Kisii community — they are my family, my friends, and my people. I would never insult them. Please watch the full clip. Let’s stand for truth, not division,” he wrote.

This incident highlights the sensitivities surrounding cultural issues and the power of words, especially when dealing with stereotypes. While Jalang’o maintains his comments were intended as a joke, the controversy underscores the need for greater cultural awareness and mutual respect in Kenya’s diverse society.

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Jalang’o Fined 1,000 Cows, 5,000 Goats and Sheep Over ‘Kisii Witches’ Remark