"My dad died the same day that I got employed?" Jalang'o narrates his story
By: Katanu Munyao
Posted on Tuesday, December 1, 2020
We know him as Jalango, but do you know Felix Oduor? Apart from being a media personality, he is also an entrepreneur. Speaking on #Chatspot, Jalango shared his story of struggles that taught him to look at life from a positive angle.
Carolline Mutoko is the woman behind Jalango’s success having mentored him during his first Radio Show. He applauds her as the best mentor he’s ever had.
“Anything you learn from a woman will be the best thing you can hold. Caroline Mutoko taught me about hard work. Despite the fact that she’s achieved so much, every morning at 4am we’d be in the office with her”. (sic) Jalango said in the interview
Let’s go back to the days when Jalangó was yet to become a household name. He would walk for over 30KM from Mwiki to Nairobi to read his scripts at the Kenya National Theatre then walk back home to an empty house. It became a habit for him to hang around his neighbours hoping they would invite him for a meal. It is from the Kenya National Theatre that he got the name Jalango and local TV Show Papa Shirandula that Kenya came to know of his existence.
The day that he finally got his breakthrough in the Media Industry happens to be the worst day of his entire life. He had just gotten a call from Caroline Mutoko informing him that he had secured a permanent Job at Capital FM when his mother called to inform him that his Father who was unwell had passed on.
“Before my dad died, he had written me a letter to make sure that I build my mama a home and take my siblings to school, that’s the reason as to why am graduating at 37.”
Back in the days, Jalango’s brother had to drop out of high school for Jalas to study since he had more potential. His father used to pay the schools using literally anything, from firewood to foodstuff, all to make sure that his son was educated. Jalang’o is now a degree holder from Daystar University, having strived and completed his studies in Mass Communication regardless of the fact that he has already made it in this field.
“Talent without school is very hard, there is respect in education. I would like people to see the intellectual bit of me every other time when I walk into boardrooms and make my presentations. Education is that unique tool that gives one the pride and another chance to argue differently”
Jalango is still looking forward to more opportunities that life will present. His story goes on to inspire millennials that one doesn't have to find comfort in the poverty they grew up in, accept and change it. If you struggled as a child, purpose to succeed in future.
