Kenya’s political arena lost a veteran figure this past weekend. Cyrus Jirongo, the former Lugari Member of Parliament, died suddenly at the age of 64.

His death occurred in the early hours of Saturday, 13th December 2025, following a terrible road accident.

The crash happened near the Karai area along the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway.

Jirongo was reportedly driving alone when his vehicle collided head-on with a large passenger bus.

Generosity Defined His Life

While Jirongo’s profile in politics often attracted strong admiration and controversy in equal measure, he was widely known for his immense generosity.

Political leaders mourning his death recalled that his giving nature defined both his politics and his personal life.

Neighbors and family members in Shamakhokho village, Vihiga County, describe a man who never discriminated against anyone. He welcomed everyone and never turned away those seeking help.

“Every person who knew Jirongo knows that if there was one generous person in this world, it was Cyrus Jirongo,” recalled Eugene Walamwa, DAP-K Party leader.

The Rise of the Ksh 500 'Jirongo'

Jirongo’s reputation for lavish giving became famously linked to a specific denomination of currency in the early 1990s. This was the period when the country was transitioning to multiparty democracy.

At the time, the country had never used a 500-shilling note. When this high-value note was introduced in the 1990s, it quickly became associated with Jirongo.

“Initially, Kenya had not used the Ksh 500 note, but when it was introduced in the early 1990s, many knew that it was Jirongo’s note,” Wamalwa added.

This association stemmed from his role leading the powerful Youth for KANU '92 (YK'92) movement.

YK'92 was founded and bankrolled by the ruling party, KANU, to support President Daniel Arap Moi in the 1992 general elections.

Billionaire Before 30

The YK'92 movement was infamous for its aggressive methods and extensive mobilisation efforts, often involving the widespread distribution of cash.

By his own account, Jirongo’s leadership of this venture catapulted him to billionaire status before he reached 30 years old.

The flood of new money entering the political system, coupled with Jirongo’s generosity, cemented the link between him and the new currency.

The impact was so profound that receiving the new currency earned a special nickname. People used the phrase: "If you were hit by 500, you were hit by Jirongo." (“ukipigwa 500 umepigwa jerongo.”).

A Legacy of Uplifting the West

His fame from the YK’92 era emboldened Jirongo to enter formal politics. He clinched the Lugari parliamentary seat in 1997 and served two non-consecutive terms.

He eventually became Minister for Rural Development in 2001. His ministerial tenure was known for tangible infrastructure projects, particularly across Western Kenya.

Those mourning him today cite a lifetime devoted to uplifting Kenya's western region. Mourners say that his influence was a major unifying force across Western Kenya.

His tragic death has drawn widespread tributes, acknowledging the deep, if sometimes divisive, respect he commanded across the nation.