Raila Helped 'Broke' Former Presidential Aspirant Cyrus Jirongo Get Employed by Tanzania President Magufuli

Former presidential aspirant Cyrus Jirongo says that National Super Alliance (Nasa) leader Raila Odinga helped him secure a job at a time when he was 'broke' and his friends had abandoned him.

Addressing mourners during the burial of Julia Amayo, the wife of late Karachuonyo Member of Parliament Okiki Amayo at Kakdhimu village on Friday, the former Lugari MP said that Jubilee sidelined him when sharing state positions, but Odinga came to his rescue.

"The top Jubilee leadership had abandoned me hence I had to share my problems with Raila who helped me get a job in Tanzania," Jirongo said.

Jirongo said that Odinga carried him to Tanzania, where he linked him to President John Magufuli, who offered him a job.

"Raila is the one who introduced me to Tanzanian President and the country's Prime Minister who later gave me a job. I now live comfortably and shall continue being close to the Luo community," said Jirongo.

The former Cabinet Minister didn't, however, reveal the position he was offered by Magufuli. Jirongo lauded the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader for the recent unity pact with President Kenyatta.

"The pact means well for peaceful co-existence of Kenyans and I support it," said Jirongo.

"Kenyans owe Raila respect because he showed true statesmanship by prioritizing interest of this country to hold the dialogue with President Kenyatta," he added.

Last year, Jirongo had been declared bankrupt after he defaulted a loan he had taken from a local commercial bank. Earlier this year, Central Bank of Kenya auctioned his multimillion piece of land located in Uasin Gishu county, to help the bank recover its cash.