Tributes poured in across the country on Saturday following the sudden death of Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo, the outspoken former Lugari Member of Parliament and political organiser, whose life was cut short in a road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
Jirongo, 64, was travelling alone to Nairobi, when his vehicle collided head-on with a passenger Climax bus at the Karai area in Naivasha, Nakuru County, at about 3am, according to preliminary police findings and witness accounts.
Messages of condolence cut across political divides, reflecting the reach of a man who played a visible role in the country’s post-multiparty politics.
President William Ruto led the tributes, describing Jirongo as a relentless go-getter and a consummate politician who refused to be defined by setbacks.
“Never one to shrink from a tough stand or a grand idea, Jirongo lived on his own terms and left an indelible mark on our political landscape... He was a relentless go-getter, a seasoned businessman, and a consummate politician who refused to be defined, let alone defeated, by life’s challenges. He was a fighter in every sense: blunt yet warm, bold yet approachable, enlightened and endlessly entrepreneurial. Above all, he was generous to a fault; always willing to give, to uplift, and to back others with his time, resources, and belief,” President Ruto said.
The two first worked closely in the early 1990s in the controversial Youth for KANU ’92 (YK’92) movement, a powerful political outfit credited with mobilising young voters ahead of the 1992 General Election. Both men later joined Parliament in the 1997 polls, with Jirongo winning the Lugari seat, marking the start of a political career that would span decades and cut across party lines.
Cyrus Jirongo during an interview at his Mayfair Suites offices in Nairobi on October 28, 2021.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua mourned Jirongo as a dedicated public servant whose leadership in Lugari resonated beyond his constituency.
“This is a painful loss. Hon Jirongo was a bold leader who spoke his mind and stood firmly for what he believed in,” Mr Gachagua said, adding that Kenya had lost “a seasoned politician who understood the pulse of the people.”
Jirongo was first elected MP in 1997 and served two non-consecutive terms, building a reputation as an independent-minded legislator who often challenged both allies and opponents.
“Cyrus Jirongo was a bold and courageous leader whose contribution to our country’s political development will not be forgotten,” Mr Kenyatta said.
“Jirongo was a bold and charismatic leader who never shied away from standing out, challenging convention, or pursuing his convictions with courage and clarity. His contribution to Kenya’s public life and his distinctive voice in our national discourse will be remembered,” Mr Musyoka said.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said Jirongo was a trailblazer whose contribution to political organisation during a defining period in the country’s history deserved recognition.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah termed his death “a great national loss,” while Confederation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said, “Kenyans loved Cyrus Jirongo deeply, but God has loved him even more.”
Independence party Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi remembered Jirongo as a devoted family man and a bold political actor whose influence extended beyond elective office.
Youth for Kanu ‘92 Chairman Cyrus Jirongo with President Moi before the 1992 General Election. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
“Jirongo was known to us first as a family man. He spoke with pride about his family, and he carried that sense of responsibility into every space he entered. Those who spent time with him knew his warmth, his humor, and his confidence, but also his deep loyalty to the people closest to him,” Gideon said in his tribute.
“He was bold in thought and action. He spoke his mind freely and engaged others openly. Our conversations were honest, sometimes even challenging, but always rooted in mutual respect. As a political figure, he played a visible and influential role in the country’s public life, particularly during the final years of KANU as the ruling party. He was energetic, fearless, and unapologetic about his views. Whether one agreed with him or not, he brought passion to politics and left a clear mark on the national conversation.”
Mr Jirongo worked closely with Gideon’s father, former president Daniel arap Moi.
