Lang’ata Member of Parliament (MP) Phelix Odiwuor, also known as Jalang’o, has recalled suffering depression after high school.
Jalang’o spoke in an interview with Willis Raburu on TV47’s entertainment show Wabebe XP. It airs every Friday from 10pm.
“I was called to Maseno School with my few marks in KCPE. My old man had to gather money left, right and center. Two months later I was yet to report to school but I had bought uniform.
“We did not have school fees. Remember those days, unlike now when we are pushing for 100% transition, that time if you didn’t have money you could not go to school,” Jalang’o began.
Scoring C+ in KCSE
He was forced to join a ‘village’ secondary school identified as Kanyago Secondary School. Owing to the tough economic times, Jalang’o could not afford new uniform so he studied in that from his previous school.
Jalang’o would later transfer to another secondary school where his elder brother was enrolled.
The lawmaker attained a C+ in his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) after a myriad of challenges.
“A C+ in Nyangoma is a D-Plain in Starehe. Something like a Bunsen burner we saw it on the day of exams,” he added, chuckling.
Just like any other Form Four leaver, Jalang’o approached his parents hoping to consult on which course he should pursue in college.
To his disappointment however, his father said they could not raise money for college.
“I went and told my father that I need to join college, say teaching, KMTC or any other. My father has never laughed like that before.
“He told me ‘You’ve seen what we’ve gone through trying to take you to high school. Now where on earth will I get money to take you to college?” Jalang’o narrated.
Jalang’o suffers depression
Unaware, Jalang’o slipped into depression seeing as he was the only KCSE student who failed to proceed to college or university in his village.
“I did not know it was depression that time but I know I understand. I locked myself in the house crying all the time,” he added.
With his C+ KCSE grade, Jalang’o dived into the fishing business before an opportunity to move to Nairobi knocked on his door.
“I moved to Nairobi around 2003/4 there. My old man gave me two shirts, two trousers and a pair of shoes, said it’s time for me to be a man,” the legislator added.
He worked his way up from an actor at the national theatre, to a comedian, emcee, radio presenter and is currently the MP of Lang’ata.
Jalang’o believes he has to achieve whatever he puts his focus on; be it politics, media, business or any other field.
