Luhya Elders Want Ruto To Accord Cyrus Jirongo State Funeral, Shares Reasons

The Luhya Council of Elders in Kakamega County has called on the government to honour the late Cyrus Jirongo, former Lugari Member of Parliament, with a state funeral. 

The elders said the gesture would show respect not only to Jirongo’s family but also to the entire Luhya community.

Cyrus Jirongo, who passed away in a tragic road accident along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway on Saturday, December 13, 2025, had served the country in various political capacities. 

Besides representing Lugari Constituency in Parliament, he was also a Cabinet Minister during the late President Daniel arap Moi’s administration.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Cyprian Shisanya, secretary general of the Likuyani branch of the Luhya elders, emphasized that Jirongo played a pivotal role in shaping Kenya’s political landscape. 

“Jirongo was a key figure, especially during the 1992 general elections. He led the youth wing, YK-92, which significantly contributed to securing re-election for President Moi,” Shisanya said.

The elders highlighted that the former MP contributed to several development projects in Western Kenya. 

One notable initiative was the construction of the Lugari constituency headquarters, which helped centralize administration and improve service delivery to the residents. 

“Jirongo brought our community together, creating platforms to share ideas that later guided development in Western Kenya. Had he served longer as a minister, his impact would have been even greater,” Shisanya added.

Jirongo represented Lugari for two separate terms, first from 1997 to 2002 and later from 2007 to 2013. His brief tenure as Minister for Rural Development from March to December 2002 was marked by efforts to advance infrastructure and social programs in rural areas. 

Despite the short period, his initiatives were impactful and left lasting benefits for local communities.

The Luhya elders argue that a state funeral would honor not just Jirongo’s family but the wider Luhya community. 

It would recognize his contributions to national development, his role in Kenya’s political history, and his leadership within the Western Kenya region.

Plans for Jirongo’s burial have already begun. The family announced that he will be laid to rest at his rural home in Lumakanda, Kakamega County, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. 

He will be buried next to his parents’ graves, following a series of ceremonies including the transportation of his body from Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi to his Gigiri residence, then to Kitale, before final interment in Lumakanda.

Authorities confirmed that a police expert report ruled out a head-on collision in the accident. 

Investigations suggest that the Mercedes-Benz vehicle Jirongo was driving collided with a Climax bus under circumstances that remain under review. 

Questions about his movements the night before the crash have also arisen, but investigations continue.

Family members, friends, and political leaders have expressed grief over Jirongo’s sudden death.