Cyrus Jirongo: A life of wealth, politics, controversy and family

Former Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo. [File,Standard]

Former Cabinet minister and ex-Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo was a man whose name became synonymous with power, wealth and controversy in Kenya’s political landscape.

Known for his flamboyant lifestyle, meteoric rise and fiery political stances, Jirongo’s life came to a tragic end early Saturday, October 13,  when he died in a road accident along the Nairobi to Nakuru highway at Karai area in Naivasha.

He was driving from Nakuru to Nairobi when his vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming bus at about 3 a.m., killing him instantly, Naivasha DCIO Isaac Kiama confirmed.

His death abruptly ended a life marked by extraordinary wealth and high-profile controversies, leaving behind a legacy as complex as it is unforgettable.

Rise to prominence

Jirongo first made headlines in the early 1990s as the head of Youth for KANU ’92 (YK’92), a youth wing that played a central role in ensuring the Kenya African National Union (KANU) retained power during the country’s first multiparty elections.

YK’92 was both feared and revered for its influence, political muscle and financial clout.

The group became infamous for freely disbursing newly minted Sh500 notes, then the highest denomination in the country, which quickly earned the nickname “Jirongo.”

In later interviews, Jirongo boasted that he had become a billionaire by the age of 30, building an empire that spanned business, real estate and politics.