Cyrus Jirongo and the late Dr Enoch Kibunguchy were gentlemen who shaped the politics of Lugari with dignity, restraint and maturity — qualities that are increasingly rare in today’s political landscape.
Their conduct stood in sharp contrast to earlier times. In 1992, when the late Hon. Apili Wawire dared to challenge the powerful and well-financed KANU stalwart Hon. Burudi Nabwera for the Lugari parliamentary seat — at a time when KANU was Baba na Mama — chaos erupted. Wawire, then running on the Ford-Asili ticket, was forced to take cover during campaigns and later re-emerged with a broken hand after his final rally.
That was a different era. Politics was raw, intolerant and often violent.
By 2002, however, Lugari witnessed a different kind of contest — one marked by civility and mutual respect. A relatively unknown Dr Kibunguchy emerged to challenge the monied and influential Cyrus Jirongo, fondly known as “CJ”, a man whose political and financial clout was such that the KSh500 note was colloquially said to bear his name.
It was a campaign like no other.
At the time, I was a young reporter with KBC, assigned to cover CJ’s campaign trail in Lugari — my home area. I travelled with my senior colleague and mentor, Richard Chacha, as we crisscrossed the constituency. Resources were not an issue; CJ had served a full term in the August House and was working tirelessly to retain his seat.
One moment from that campaign remains etched in my memory.
As we drove through the Matunda area, we came across Dr Kibunguchy addressing a rally. In a gesture that spoke volumes about his character, CJ ordered his motorcade to stop. He walked straight to the podium, greeted his opponent warmly and shook his hand.
He then calmly returned to his maroon Land Rover Discovery, lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, crushed it out and we continued our journey towards Kitale.
At no point did I see panic, anger or insecurity. Despite the clear threat to his incumbency, CJ never resorted to hiring goons, fuelling heckling squads with alcohol, or instructing crowds to disrupt his opponent’s meetings. He remained composed — a gentleman through and through.
When election day came, CJ recognised that the timing favoured Dr Kibunguchy. He accepted defeat with grace, retreated to his business interests, reflected on his shortcomings and regrouped.
In 2007, he returned.
Once again, the campaigns were calm and dignified. There were no fistfights, no hired disrupters, no bitterness. On December 27, 2007, the two men faced off once more — and this time, CJ won convincingly.
What Lugari witnessed in those years was politics at its best: competitive yet respectful, intense yet peaceful, ambitious yet grounded in humility.
These were leaders who respected democracy and understood that power is transient, but character endures.
That was the Lugari we knew.
Go well, our seniors.
Rest in peace.
