Jirongo funeral: Tiriki ‘torch’ talk, politics and calls for fresh death probe

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta described Mr Jirongo as a custodian of multiparty democracy, linking his affinity for multiple political parties to the current political tensions surrounding an alleged plot to “buy” former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM party, which is also being courted by President William Ruto.

“I believe we have lost a president because Cyrus Jirongo had the capacity to be Kenya’s president. If there was a custodian of multiparty democracy, it was Cyrus Jirongo. He respected political parties and worked across party lines without undermining them, honouring the hard-won multiparty space,” said Mr Kenyatta.

On ODM, Mr Kenyatta dismissed his successor.

“I am retired but that does not mean you come poke me in the eye. We have no fear (by keeping quiet), but respect us. We support a vibrant democracy and the will of the people. We are supporters of multiparty democracy, and are building ours. Now some are telling us we want to steal other parties. This is a case of someone who has failed to convince those he seeks to work with and is now looking (at us) for scapegoats,” said Mr Kenyatta. 

Khalwale: Wetang'ula has a lot to tell us

Kakamega Senator Dr Boni Khalwale fired the opening salvo in demands for a fresh probe, directly naming and challenging National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to explain his last meeting with Mr Jirongo, as well as others he said took place at the Speaker’s parliamentary office before the politician died in Naivasha along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway on December 13.

“Wetang’ula was the last person to have been with Jirongo at a club in Karen, and he has a lot to tell us,” said Dr Khalwale.

“My office and his are on the first floor in Parliament. I often saw Wetang’ula host Jirongo for meetings lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. Tell us what kind of deals you were discussing and what transpired in those meetings.”

Mr Wetang’ula was among the mourners at the burial, alongside other leaders including Mr Kenyatta, Kanu chairman Gideon Moi, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, and former Chief Justice David Maraga, among others.

“The Speaker should tell us about the Karen Oasis meeting because it is unrealistic how the late Jirongo ended up in Naivasha. We need to know the truth because he was going home,” said the senator, linking the death to either politics or business following the recent discovery of gold in Kakamega.

He added that the late Jirongo believed in Luhya unity and was ready to mobilise resources to ensure one of their own contests the presidency in the 2027 General Election.

In a quick rejoinder when he took to the podium, Mr Wetang’ula eulogised Mr Jirongo as a genuine friend of more than 38 years and admitted to meeting him at Oasis in Karen, Nairobi.

He gave a chronology of events leading to their meeting shortly after 7pm, which lasted until 9pm, when he left to prepare for another meeting in Mombasa the following day.

“I received news of Jirongo’s death the following morning, and it hit me like a thunderbolt — like a missile. Jirongo was a man who valued friendships, and we have indeed lost a hero,” said Mr Wetang’ula.

He said the former Lugari MP championed Luhya unity and challenged the community to resist divisions driven by parochial interests.

“I stand here as a leader and a friend of Jirongo to join those asking genuine questions that need to be answered, because if this remains unresolved, it will be a misery,” he said.

Khaniri: This was not a normal death

Funeral committee co-chair George Khaniri dismissed the homicide report that pointed to a normal traffic accident and demanded a forensic audit, while asking his Tiriki clansmen to perform cultural rites to invoke wrath upon the alleged killers.

“There are so many grey areas surrounding the cause of our friend Jirongo’s death, and we are demanding a private investigation into what actually killed him. We shall continue asking questions until we are told the truth because we believe this was not a normal death — it is suspicious to us,” said Mr Khaniri, describing Jirongo as a hero who sought to unite the Luhya community.

Siaya Governor James Orengo also questioned the death, saying: “Jirongo did not die a natural death, and the truth must be told.”

Tiriki torch

Co-chair Fred Gumo said the late Jirongo had to be buried with a torch, in line with Tiriki culture, to deal with his alleged killers.

“What we know is that this burial with the torch has started working, and it is only a matter of time before the killers perish on their own,” said Mr Gumo, referencing the belief that a torch placed on a grave has the power to expose tormentors and killers.

Karua: He feared for his life

On her part, People’s Liberation Party chair Martha Karua said Kenyans had a right to know the truth about the accident and the circumstances surrounding Mr Jirongo’s death.

“We are demanding justice. What I know is that Jirongo had expressed fear for his life and was in the process of beefing up his security,” said Ms Karua.

DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa said the community had lost a great man and demanded speedy investigations.

“We fail to understand why police have issued conflicting statements on what caused Jirongo’s death. Only forensic investigations will resolve this misery,” said Mr Wamalwa.

Cotu Secretary-General Francis Atwoli said deaths linked to politics or business had remained a thorny issue in the country.

“We have lost many leaders under mysterious circumstances, and this must come to an end,” said Mr Atwoli.

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi said the Luhya community had lost many leaders under mysterious circumstances and challenged Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi to confront President William Ruto to help uncover the exact cause of Mr Jirongo’s death.

“We can’t be silent when our leaders are dying under mysterious circumstances. We want the death of Jirongo to be the last among the Luhya community,” said Mr Amisi.

Bungoma Senator David Wakholi said Mr Jirongo died under mysterious circumstances and that the community had a right to know the truth.

Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi called for an independent inquiry into the death of Mr Jirongo, whom he said played a key role in uniting the Luhya community.

Similar calls were made by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, who said the community would not sit back as it continued losing leaders under questionable circumstances.

Kisia alleges plot to grab Jirongo property

Nairobi-based politician Philip Kisia alleged a plot to grab Mr Jirongo’s property, including land in Ruai, claims that were dismissed by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi as untrue.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also dismissed the claims, saying his county administration would protect Mr Jirongo’s property, including the Ruai land.

“All we are demanding is justice. Death is not a political issue. What we need to know is whether his death was political or business-related so that we can put this matter to rest,” said Mr Sakaja.

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