Jirongo Clarifies Role in YK92 Movement and Goldenberg Scandal Allegations
Cyrus Jirongo, a former MP and Minister during President Daniel Moi’s tenure, has clarified the controversy around the notorious Youth for KANU 92 (YK92) movement and allegations of excessive money printing to support the then-ruling party KANU.
During his appearance on the Savage Politics podcast with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, Jirongo was asked to shed light on the funds and the YK92 group, in which he was a key figure.
Jirongo refuted longstanding accusations that the government printed billions of shillings to distribute through YK92 to gain support for KANU.
“This is a clear-cut situation… someone devises a plan and claims, ‘I will purchase gold and export it,’ leading Central Bank to offer him a 30% gain… Ksh. 58 billion was handed out for nothing, damaging the national economy. This was an excessive amount to be removed from the system for the export of paper,” Jirongo stated.
This occurred during the infamous Goldenberg scandal, where taxpayers lost billions due to fraudulent practices by government officials.
When asked if the money used by YK92 was part of the embezzled funds, Jirongo stated: “Of course, it was Goldenberg scandal money. An Exchange Bank was set up with the false pretense of seeking foreign currency… Central Bank provided these people with funds, adding a 33% premium for some reason… That was the money being handed out.”
Jirongo denied involvement in the embezzlement and distribution of funds, expressing gratitude for still being alive since there were efforts to silence him for not complying.
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He suggests that the masterminds of the Goldenberg scandal sought scapegoats and targeted the YK92 group, which he was part of.
“I went through the Goldenberg trials and wasn’t implicated. However, others who dealt with the funds were identified. You could see people driving luxury cars, and I was supposed to work with them,” he added.
Jirongo also claimed YK92 was managed by the country’s intelligence services, with decisions made at the State House.
“You’re under the impression you’re leading people, but that wasn’t the case. Remember the coup in YK92 led by Sam Nyamweya and others to oust me for not complying,” Jirongo explained.
He mentioned that he has written a book about the events during and after Moi’s era but is hesitant to release it due to safety concerns.
YK92 was a group of young KANU supporters, including notable members like Sam Nyamweya, Patrick Musumba, Gerald Bomett, William Ruto, and Micah Kigen, with Jirongo as its Chairman.
The group distributed Ksh.500 notes, informally referred to as “Jirongo” notes.
The Goldenberg scandal involved Kamlesh Pattni’s Goldenberg International company, which injected over Ksh.11 billion into KANU’s campaign fund as the ruling party fought against the return of multiparty democracy.
It was a political scandal where the Kenyan government excessively subsidized gold exports.
Goldenberg International claimed to export gold and diamonds, receiving significant subsidies from the KANU government for ‘earning’ foreign exchange.
Pattni was central to the scandal but was acquitted after years of legal battles.
Jirongo Clarifies Role in YK92 Movement and Goldenberg Scandal Allegations