Family, Leaders Gather for Memorial Service of Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo

Family, friends and political leaders gathered in Nairobi on Saturday for a memorial service in honour of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, ahead of his burial scheduled for Tuesday in Kakamega County.

The service was held at CITAM Valley Road and marked the first in a series of official events following his death earlier this month. Among those in attendance were former Attorney-General Amos Wako and veteran politician Martha Karua. An overnight vigil later took place at Jirongo’s residence in Gigiri.

Further memorial services are planned in Kitale on Sunday before his body is transported to Lumakanda in Lugari Constituency, where he will be laid to rest.

Jirongo, who was 64, died in a road accident on 13 December after his Mercedes-Benz was involved in a head-on collision with a passenger bus on the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Karai, Naivasha. Police said the crash occurred at about 3am.

A post-mortem examination conducted at Lee Funeral Home confirmed that he died from severe blunt force injuries. Pathologists stated that the injuries were fatal.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has opened an inquiry into the circumstances of the crash. 

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage, including images showing a white Toyota Probox near the scene, and have questioned individuals connected to the vehicle. Investigators have also established that Jirongo’s car was captured on camera at a petrol station shortly before the accident as they reconstruct his movements.

His family has asked authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, raising questions about why he was travelling on the Naivasha section of the highway late at night when he was expected to be at his Nairobi home. Tributes have come from across the political divide. 

President William Ruto described Jirongo as a determined leader who was committed to public service. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, speaking in Lumakanda, urged leaders to avoid politicising the death and called for support for the bereaved family.

Jirongo served in public life for several decades and was a prominent figure in Kenya’s political arena.