The body of the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo has arrived at Lumakanda for the burial ceremony.
Friends and the community had gathered at the Lumakanda Primary School to receive his body as they danced to songs and tunes.
The late former MP’s body was escorted from his home, where a night vigil took place ahead of burial on Tuesday.
Different leaders are expected to attend the funeral service at Lumakanda Primary School, after which the body will make the final journey to the home for interment.
Preparations were finalised for the burial of the former MP at his Lumakanda home in Lugari constituency, Kakamega County.
On Sunday, Jirongo’s body arrived at his Kitale home for an overnight vigil as security was tightened.
Several security teams have been deployed at the Lumakanda home, where elders have also identified the site where Jirongo will be buried next to his parents and his elder brother.
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera visited the home several times to oversee preparations along with senior security officers.
“We have worked well with friends and the government to ensure that we give him a decent burial because he was a loved man all over,” said Nabwera.
Several bulls will be slaughtered to feed mourners, with over 40,000 people expected to attend the funeral service.
Arrangements have been made for the viewing of the body both at the home and at Lumakanda Primary School.
“Jirongo loved his community; he loved this country and always cherished unity and peace. He deserves a befitting send-off,” said Nabwera.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa also visited the home and urged locals to ensure they give Jirongo a decent send-off.
Since he died, many leaders from both the opposition and government have visited Jirongo’s home to console the family.
Jirongo died on December 13, after his car was involved in a head-on collision with a bus ferrying passengers from Nairobi at Karai area, on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway.
The 64-year-old was travelling in his private vehicle along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway when it collided with a passenger bus.
Rift Valley Traffic Enforcement Officer Sarah Chumo said the crash happened at around 3:00 a.m.
Autopsy revealed that Jirongo died from blunt force trauma that caused severe injuries to the chest and abdomen.
The report showed he also had injuries in the spine and legs.
Family pathologist Dr Joseph Ndung’u and chief government pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor were present at the Lee Funeral Home when the exercise was carried out.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations said it commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Jirongo.
by PERPETUA ETYANG
