Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is among the dignitaries who are attending the burial of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo at Lumakanda in Kakamega County.
The former President arrived a few minutes past 11.30 am, during the ongoing preaching at the service.
His arrival briefly interrupted proceedings when some mourners stood up, causing a momentary disruption.
The preacher paused for a few minutes to allow Uhuru to settle before continuing with the ceremony.
Jirongo’s burial drew political leaders, family members, and community figures who gathered to pay their respects to the late politician, remembered for his contributions in both public service and family life.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, among other leaders are also in attendance.
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.
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.
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.
by PERPETUA ETYANG
