Former Lugari MP Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo has been remembered as a larger-than-life figure during emotional eulogies delivered by his three wives.
According to them, Jirongo was committed to family, bold personality, and the deep impact he had on those around him.
Jirongo’s life was celebrated not only for his public achievements but for the profound personal impact he had on his family.
The former MP 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.
Through the words of his wives, his love, guidance, and legacy continue to inspire those who knew him.
Jirongo’s wife, Anne Kanini, described him as a source of strength and guidance, saying he was larger than the tragedy that took his life.
“He was a man who loved, who worked hard, who laughed, who dreamed huge, and cared deeply for those around him. To the larger family, Cyrus was a source of strength and support. To many of us here today, he was dependable, kind, and present when it mattered,” she said.
Kanini reflected on the pain of his sudden passing, adding that they had not expected to say goodbye so soon, and their hearts grieve the shock and the silence his absence has left.
“We may not understand why this happened, but we trust in a God who understands us,” she added. She urged the family to find hope in faith, quoting Psalm 34:18: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Jirongo’s other wife, Christine Nyokabi, remembered him for his fearless and charismatic personality.
“CJ the Man — that is what they called you in the early ’90s, a name that perfectly captured a personality larger than life. To the world, you were fearless, bold and courageous, unpretentious and unapologetically honest. You spoke your truth without hesitation, and people listened. Your charisma drew others in effortlessly, while your outrageous, unforgettable humour and booming laughter announced your presence long before you entered a room,” she said.
Anne Lanoi, his third wife, spoke about his role as a father and husband. She said the world feels still and strange without him.
According to Lanoi, Jirongo was her constant world, and the heart of their home.
“You loved me in a way that only my heart truly knows, making me feel cherished and favoured every single day. I will miss the simple things most, how you always answered my calls on the first ring, and the many times you called just to share a joke or seek my advice. As a father, you were our children’s greatest anchor. You were a present, steady force, teaching them never to settle for mediocrity and to always strive for their best,” she said.
by PERPETUA ETYANG
