Grace To Grass: 4 Career Lessons We Can All Learn From Cyrus Jirongo

You probably know Cyrus Jirongo, former Lugari MP and former presidential candidate. He has been in the media for such a long time now.
According to his Biography, Jirongo schooled at Mang’u High School in1978 to 1981 and later joined Egerton University for his undergraduate studies. In 1992, Jirongo and Deputy President William Ruto led the Youth for KANU 1992 movement. Jirongo garnered enough votes to win the MP election in 1997.
In short, he is said to have become a billionaire at the age of 30 attaining his celebrity status for his achievements in his career.
At only 30, he attained his billionare status to be the Jirongo we have all known until last year when he was declared bankrupt and not fit to vie for the presidential elections. This has seen him fight several court cases due to that.
Currently he is in police custody unable to raise Sh5 Million cash bail granted by Milimani Law Courts yesterday after he was arrested for failing to settle a Sh 25 Milion debt.

What can we learn from his fall from grace to grass?

Despite his woes, there are several career lessons to learn from his fall. Here are a few…
1. Keep pursuing your goals
When he was declared bankrupt last year, he was determined that he would clear his debts before vying for presidency. IEBC cleared his name and he was included in the ballot papers.
Although he failed, he never gave up.
“I am not afraid of failing. I will fight by any means necessary to succeed and take up leadership positions,” he said.
Regardless of the field, you are in, this is the spirit we all need. Don’t be scared to pursue an opportunity because it looks bigger than your abilities. You need to believe that you are able to achieve your goals whatever the case.
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2. Age doesn’t matter if want to succeed
Just at the age of 30, Cyrus Jirongo was already a household name attaining a millionaire status.
He was the chairman of the Youth for Kanu ‘92 lobby group that propelled Moi back to power in 1992.
A lot of people still believe that if you want to succeed in life and career, you have to be 40years and above. That’s not true. A lot of successful people including Jirongo, have proved that age isn’t a requirement for success.
Whichever position or level you are, do your best to ensure you propel your career.
3. Networking is important
According to him, having influential friends like William Ruto boosted his success.
Just after he left university, he developed relationships with Ruto and other allies from 1992 to 1997 that allowed him succeed in business.
Professional networking is very important to your career. You need to have mentors and friends who can act as your support system. Not just friends, but brilliant like-minded people you admire.
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4. Failing is not the end of the road
Jirongo dropped out of Egerton University after the first semester due to lack of fees.
He looked for a job as a real estate sales agent and did it while homeless.
“I would go to the Kenyatta National Hospital to sleep on the benches in the casualty area,” he says.
I recently received an email from a lady who dropped out of University because the family could not raise the required fees. She has been jobless for two years yet still struggling with odd jobs to support her young siblings. She says she wants a decent job.
In short, you don’t have to let the situation sit on you. Wake up and find an alternative which can solve the situation. Just ensure you take the right path to your destiny.
In the end, these are just but a few important career lessons you can learn from embattled former MP, Cyrus Jirongo.  After falling, there’s always a chance to stand again. Keep pursuing your goals until you achieve them.
Source: The Business Daily
Tobias is a communication Assistant at Career Point Kenya. Email tobias@www.careerpointkenya.co.ke. Any comment? Leave it below.