Former Lugari Member of Parliament, Cyrus Jirongo, is mourning the sudden death of his firstborn daughter Lorraine Jirongo. Cyrus Jirongo’s ex-wife’s son meets siblings at Lorraine Jelagat’s funeral service. Lorraine Elizabeth Khalamwa Jelagat Jirongo passed away on March 10 after a short illness. The mother of three is set to be buried on March 21 in a private ceremony at their Kitale home. Jirongo took a few minutes during his tribute at the funeral service held at AIC Milimani in Nairobi on March 19 to introduce his children to friends and mourners. How did Jirongo learn of his daughter’s death? He began by sharing how he received the heartbreaking news of Lorraine’s passing, noting that he was away when it happened.
“Lorraine is my daughter, and Caro is her mother. The last time I spoke to her was when her mother was going to India for treatment. She had called to ask if I could chip in, and I told her I was travelling to Hong Kong. I assured her that we would see what we could do when I returned,” he narrated. Jirongo explained that while in Hong Kong, he received another call from his wife, asking him to get in touch with Kiprono, Lorraine’s uncle, who did not have his new number. He then called Kiprono’s brother, who informed him of what had transpired. “I had to cut my trip short and come back to see her off. My daughter was not sick and had never been a sickly child. The only time she was weak was when she was born,” he added. Cyrus Jirongo’s children The former legislator praised his children, noting that they took after many of his qualities.
“They are open, strong, fearless, and very intelligent, and Lorraine had all those qualities. I thought I would use this opportunity to introduce my children,” he said. He also introduced his wife, Ann Lanoi, alongside his children. “I have seen my kids here and a beautiful lady who has been taking care of them. She had the strength to withstand me, and she raised all my children,” he said while calling his kids to the podium. Cyrus Jirongo’s children at AIC milimani in Nairobi. He then jokingly remarked that the introduction was important to prevent the children from unknowingly marrying each other. Each of the ten children introduced themselves by name and profession. Among them were, Ruby Jirongo, an architect, Leon Jirongo, a journalist, Tanya Nyambura, an economist, Nicole Jirongo, a counsellor and Claudia Khalamwa, a communication specialist. Others are Sonia Jirongo, a businesswoman, June Injete, Sharon Jirongo, an accountant, Timothy Jirongo, a businessman and Judy Khalamwa, a construction specialist.
To conclude the introduction, Jirongo’s wife, Ann, stated that she had raised all the children together as one big family. “I am their mother, and I am an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. I work with the Office of the DPP,” she said. Cyrus Jirongo’s ex-wife’s son meets siblings for the first time The former Lugari MP also invited his ex-wife’s husband, Munyua Waiyaki, to introduce his children. Munyua stepped onto the podium, explaining that two of his children were abroad. “My first son with Carolyne, Kimani Waiyaki, is in South Africa. My daughter is in Portugal, but my last-born son, Lemaiyan Waiyaki, is right here. Come here,” he said. Lemaiyan introduced himself and expressed his joy at meeting his siblings for the first time. “I am the last-born, and it is nice to meet all of you for the first time,” he said, prompting the crowd to applaud and burst into laughter.
by Lynn-Linzer Kibebe
