IRVIN JALANG’O: THE PEN KING
By Stephanie Odhiambo
“Social climber, stuck in between two worlds; the bourgeois that is Nairobi’s pretentious middle class and the real miners in Nairobi’s East. His is evasive, funny, detailed memory that sometimes digs out archived throwbacks to put a smile on your face. He’ll make you laugh mostly… And once in a while may also make you think. He can’t be tough… He tries to look tough but it’s a flawed alter ego.”
That is how Irvin Jalang’o describes himself on his blog. The tall, dark and well-spoken young founder of MisterLeft, an online blog that specializes in content development, creative writing, public relations and advertising, doubles also as a main stream Journalist. Born in Sosiot, Kericho, Irvin grew up with the ambition of being a pharmacist and never thought of journalism as a career.
“I didn’t know I could be a journalist and I had no intention of becoming one, I just knew I could knew write well.” says Irvin. “The first job I got as an intern at KBC Swahili Radio turned out to be a job.”
The Moi University alumni, class of 2014, almost became a Certified Public Accountant from Strathmore University, before he got a calling letter from the former to pursue a degree in Media Science. Just like any other fresh university student, Irvin, was faced with the dilemma of changing his career and wanted to pursue Mechatronics Engineering.
“What kept me going was my love for writing and journalism was not hard apart from the math units” a laughing Jalang’o confesses.
As a young journalist, Irvin was delighted to have an exclusive interview with Caroline Mutoko while still in campus. This highlight of his campus life fueled his love for journalism.
Irvin Jalang’o in Pictures
Irvin Jalang’o | Photo: Courtesy
Irvin Jalang’o | Photo: Courtesy
Irvin Jalang’o | Photo: Courtesy
The self-proclaimed Arsene Wenger’s victim and chapati enthusiast, Irvin comes out as a humorous person in his blog posts. He is easily mistaken for a humorous person. However in his line of duty he has interacted with people of higher profile.
“The highest moment in my career is when I interviewed Auma Obama. At first I didn’t know she was sister to POTUS until Obama visited.” admits Jalang’o. “At this time people were googling her and my article would pop up”
On a normal day, Irvin takes about three minutes to meditate if it is worth it to continue with his career. But when he thinks of the impact of his stories, he finds new energy to keep on. He tells me in 2013, he did a story that changed the life of a young girl.
“There is a story I did at the Milimani law courts about lost and found children. They were paraded in court and I found a photographer who took a photo of the kids and it was on the Star they were later reunited with their parents. Ever since every newspaper picked it up and made it a monthly segment”
His work speaks volumes about him
Often journalists are faced with humanitarian stories that make them wish they had the power to do more. Irvin is no exception, in 2015, he did a story about a girl at the University of Nairobi, who was gang raped by fellow students and the case didn’t go far.
On the flip side, Irvin can sing and act. He was once a worship leader. He also plans to publish a short stories book very soon. When I ask him about what he thinks about when he is alone, he laughs and says his unborn babies.
“You know that’s the only thing you have no power or authority over. You are not sure if they will be bright or not” says a calm Irvin.
The 27 year old, is an inspiration to many upcoming journalists and his friend and lecturer had nothing but praise for him.
“He is a gifted writer and an intelligent thinker.” said Dr. Dancun Omanga, his friend cum lecturer.
Sheldon Kipyegon, his childhood friend terms Irvin as a cool person with a modern sense of fashion, and loves watching wrestling.
“There were days when we fought over a role; he would want to be Stone Cold which I had already taken because I think the Rock suited him best for he knew to raise his eyebrows.” says Sheldon. “And on good days we rejoiced when playing duck hunt or Super Mario.” He adds.
We finish the interview by asking him what he will do if he was to win a ten million dollar lottery ticket.
“I would go to Zimbabwe and invest there. It’s a promising country with new leadership. Zimbabwe will soon be a power to reckon with.”
