However, Jirongo was described as a man with a loose, loud mouth and as such struggled to pick his feet after curtains closed on KANU’s reign in 2002.
When Jirongo Was a Billionaire, President Ruto was his Spanner Boy" is a headline from a 2018 Kenyan media article published in The Standard that highlights the dramatic reversal of fortunes between Cyrus Jirongo and William Ruto.
The notable public clash between William Ruto then Deputy President, now President and Cyrus Jirongo occurred at the funeral of controversial Kenyan tycoon and businessman Jacob Juma in May 2016
Jacob Juma, a wealthy businessman known for his outspoken criticism of the government and high-profile disputes, was assassinated on May 5, 2016, in Nairobi. His death sparked widespread speculation and accusations.
During Jacob Juma's burial ceremony in May 2016, Jirongo spoke publicly and made explosive allegations against Ruto:
He accused Ruto of being involved in a past killing referencing an incident from their YK'92 days where a young man allegedly attacked their vehicle, and Ruto responded violently.
Jirongo linked this to broader claims about Ruto's character, suggesting a pattern of violence, and implied connections to Juma's murder based on Juma's prior social media accusations against Ruto.
He demanded that police interrogate Ruto over Juma's death and even referenced a supposed past physical altercation where Juma had slapped Ruto.
Ruto responded weeks later at another funeral (that of former Cabinet Minister Soita Shitanda in June 2016), acknowledging their past dynamic but questioning Jirongo's bitterness toward his rise in politics.
The exchange highlighted their fractured relationship, which had turned from mentorship to rivalry.
This 2016 episode is the most prominent and direct "clash" at a tycoon businessman's funeral involving the two.
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