Siaya County Governor His Excellency James Orengo has revealed little-known details about the crucial role played by the late former Lugari Member of Parliament, Honorable Cyrus Jirongo, in shaping the political journey of the late Orange Democratic Party (ODM) leader Honorable Raila Odinga during the 1992 general elections.
Speaking at Jirongo’s home in Lumakanda during a memorial gathering, Governor Orengo recounted how Raila’s ambition to vie for the Lang’ata parliamentary seat nearly hit a dead end due to procedural hurdles at the then Independent Electoral Commission.
According to Orengo, Raila faced an unexpected challenge when he was asked to produce a certificate proving his proficiency in Kiswahili, a requirement that threatened to lock him out of the race.
Orengo explained that he accompanied Raila to the electoral commission offices, hoping the issue could be resolved. However, officials insisted that Raila could not be cleared without the required documentation.
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With time running out, Orengo advised Raila to seek help from Jirongo, who at the time was a powerful and influential figure within government circles.
The Siaya governor disclosed that Jirongo used his connections to arrange a meeting with the chairperson of the electoral commission.
Following the intervention, Raila was eventually cleared to contest, paving the way for his entry into Nairobi politics and his eventual election as Lang’ata Member of Parliament.
“Had it not been for the late Cyrus Jirongo, Raila Odinga would not have been on the ballot in Lang’ata in 1992,” Orengo told mourners, emphasizing Jirongo’s behind-the-scenes role in Kenya’s political history.
Orengo described Jirongo as a strategic political mobilizer whose contributions went beyond party lines, noting that his actions helped shape the careers of several national leaders.
He urged Kenyans to remember Jirongo not just for his controversies, but also for the pivotal roles he played in the country’s democratic journey.
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