Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday paid tribute to the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, highlighting his significant contributions to Kenya’s multiparty democracy during a memorial service attended by political leaders and close associates.
Speaking at the burial, Uhuru described Jirongo as a key figure in preserving the democratic space that Kenyans enjoy today.
“Those standing here today acknowledge that if there was anyone who served as a custodian and pillar of the multiparty democracy movement, it was Cyrus Jirongo,” Uhuru said.
The former president recalled Jirongo’s commitment to political tolerance and respect for party structures.
He emphasized that Jirongo understood the importance of engaging with leaders from other parties without undermining their institutions, a principle that became vital during Kenya’s transition from one-party rule to a multiparty system in the early 1990s.
“He understood the meaning of democracy, the importance of respecting political parties, and the value of working with people from other parties without destroying their parties,” Uhuru added, noting that Jirongo consistently upheld the political order achieved after years of struggle.
Jirongo, who served multiple terms in parliament and held ministerial positions, was also known for fostering dialogue across party lines and advocating for unity within the political class.
His career intersected with major moments in Kenya’s democratic evolution, including the 1992 push for political pluralism and subsequent constitutional reforms that solidified multiparty governance.
Uhuru’s remarks underscored Jirongo’s role not just as a political player but as a defender of democratic principles, reminding Kenyans that the country’s political freedoms were the product of collective effort and principled leadership.
The memorial drew a cross-section of political figures who paid their respects while reflecting on the late legislator’s influence on Kenya’s political landscape.
Uhuru called on Kenyans to preserve the democratic space that leaders like Jirongo helped secure, emphasizing the responsibility of current and future generations to maintain political tolerance and institutional respect.
Jirongo’s passing marks the loss of a politician who navigated Kenya’s competitive political arena with a focus on democratic ideals, leaving a legacy tied closely to the country’s journey toward pluralistic governance.