Kakamega governor Fernandez Barasa has contributed a sum of Ksh100,000 to initiate the funeral arrangements for the recently deceased former Lugari MP, Cyrus Jirongo.
His contribution came on Saturday, December 13, 2025, following his visit to Jirongo’s rural residence, which he discovered to be unoccupied.
Although local residents and acquaintances had assembled to grieve, no close family members were on-site; they were all in Nairobi, their primary place of residence.
Ngome, identified as the head of the funeral organizing committee, requested assistance from the governor, highlighting that numerous well-wishers were arriving, but no provisions were available to accommodate them.
He emphasized the Luhya tradition, which dictates that no visitor to a grieving household should depart without at least being offered water.
Consequently, he urged the governor to step in and facilitate the commencement of the burial arrangements.
Ngome conveyed their predicament, stating, “We arrived to find the family absent, having gone to Nairobi, leaving us alone. We are at a loss, as guests are arriving and we lack even basic provisions like drinking water. We don’t know how to start, but we trust that your presence will ensure even water becomes available.”
In response to this appeal, Governor Barasa declared that Jirongo’s funeral transcended a private family affair, becoming a shared community obligation.
He further stated that even had the family been present, it would be improper to place such a heavy load upon them, emphasizing that contributing to the funeral preparations was the responsibility of Jirongo’s acquaintances and colleagues.
The Contribution
The governor then made his donation of Ksh100,000, clarifying that this sum was merely to get things moving, with further contributions anticipated once the funeral plans were more clearly structured.
Barasa explicitly stated, “I will provide Ksh100,000 immediately, as I am aware of our community’s traditions. This is merely a starting point, as formal contributions have not yet commenced; it is given specifically because you requested assistance.”
Jirongo’s Demise
Jirongo’s demise had occurred just the previous day, resulting from a fatal road collision at Karai in Naivasha, located on the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
He was operating his own vehicle when it collided with a Climax Coach bus on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m.
Subsequently, his remains were moved from Naivasha Sub-County Mortuary to Lee Funeral Home.
Since his passing, political figures and well-wishers have flocked to his residences in Nairobi, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia to offer their final tributes to the former leader of Youth for KANU 1992 (YK’92), an organization instrumental in securing former President Daniel Moi’s re-election in 1992.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has likewise conveyed profound grief at Jirongo’s death, disclosing that they had been together in Karen merely hours prior to his demise, before the distressing news of his passing reached him.
