Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Second National Vice Chairperson Aggrey Namisi has paid tribute to former Lugari MP Cyrus Shakhalaka Jirongo, describing him as a visionary leader whose influence touched both politics and the education sector.
Namisi said he received news of Jirongo’s death with deep shock, noting that the former legislator was not only a mentor but also a close personal friend who shaped his journey in trade unionism and national leadership.
In his condolence message, Namisi recalled how Jirongo encouraged him to join the teachers’ union movement to champion the rights of educators, later guiding him into national politics with generosity and wisdom. He said Jirongo’s mentorship left a lasting imprint on his career and on many others who benefited from his political experience.
Jirongo, popularly known as “CJ,” maintained strong ties with the teaching fraternity during his tenure as Lugari MP, consistently supporting education initiatives and prioritising the welfare of learners and teachers in his constituency. His national prominence grew in the 1990s when he emerged as a powerful youth mobiliser under the KANU‑aligned Youth for KANU ’92 (YK92) movement. His influence was so significant that the Sh500 note, then the highest denomination, was informally referred to as “Jirongo.”
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As Kenyans continue to mourn his passing, Namisi extended heartfelt condolences to Jirongo’s family, friends and the wider Western Kenya community, praying for comfort during the difficult period. He described Jirongo as a generous son of the Mulembe nation whose legacy of leadership, mentorship and public service would be remembered for years to come.
Tributes from leaders and citizens across the country have continued to pour in, underscoring the enduring impact Jirongo had on national politics and community development.
By Godfrey Wamalwa
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