Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo is one of the most famous political youths in the country. He was politically formed by President Daniel arap Moi to safeguard his political career in 1992.
Alongside William Samoei Ruto (later Kenya’s 5th President), Sammy Nyamweya, Evans Ondieki, Stephen Ndile, Kipruto arap Kirwa and Stephen Wakhungu, Jirongo forged a formidable money machine that drove many politicians out of town.
With his unparalleled political organisational skills and ability to create political militias and goons, Jirongo ensured that Moi and KANU were elected or rigged the 1992 elections.
So powerful was Jirongo that cabinet ministers such as William Mwangale and Burudi Nabwera knelt before him for handouts.
George Saitoti, then the Vice President, also had to kneel before Jirongo for political survival.
By the time the 1992 elections were held, he had become a national figure. Using his connections, Jirongo acquired prime plots in Karen, Kileleshwa and Ruai. He constructed affordable housing in the city such as Hazina Estate, which he later sold at exorbitant prices to NSSF. There was, of course, no wrongdoing on his part, as the land was allocated within the confines of the constitution at the time.
To date, Jirongo is a billionaire landowner. He could hold the record as one of Kenya’s most liquid individuals, owing to his wheeler-dealing prowess.
Over the years, the system has used Jirongo to divide the Western Kenya vote to influence presidential ballots.
Did Jirongo participate in economic crimes? He was among the most successful wheeler-dealers independent Kenya has ever produced.
He is only comparable to Paul Kamlesh Pattni, who may have been the source of the Sh500 note allegedly used to influence the 1992 elections.
