Gladys Wanga leads ODM leaders in fundraiser for Jirongo’s funeral
By Mabonga Makhanu, December 21, 2025Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has led party members in a fundraising drive to support funeral arrangements for the late former Lugari Member of Parliament (MP) Cyrus Jirongo.
Speaking on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at the home of the late former YK’92 top leader, Wanga said the ODM leadership had already donated bulls and fish to be used as vegetables during Jirongo’s funeral.
She added that the party would also contribute funds to purchase ugali, which would accompany the food they had brought.
“Najua tumekuja na mboga, lakini lazima mboga ikulwe na ugali. Nataka kuwaambia hawa viongozi watoe ugali,” Wanga said, prompting leaders present to contribute.
The funds were officially received by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera, while Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi opened the fundraiser with a contribution of Ksh100,000.
He was followed by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, who donated Ksh200,000.
Migori Woman Representative Rosa Buyu contributed Ksh50,000, while Kakamega Woman Representative and gubernatorial hopeful Elsie Muhanda added Ksh200,000.
Nominated Senator Catherine Muma donated Ksh50,000, with Wanga closing the fundraiser with Ksh300,000.
Mourning Jirongo
Wanga eulogised Jirongo as a leader of immense political stature, describing him as a national figure and a fearless spokesman for the Luhya community who stood firmly for truth and principle.
Jirongo’s death
The fundraising comes days after the tragic death of Cyrus Jirongo, who died in a road accident in the Kerala area along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway at around 2:18 a.m.
The late MP was driving back to Nairobi when his vehicle was involved in a head-on collision with a Climax Coach bus moments after leaving a petrol station and rejoining the highway.
Friends’ and family’s demands
Jirongo’s death has sparked widespread reactions across the country. Family members and friends, led by former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, have raised concerns over the circumstances surrounding the crash and have called for thorough and speedy investigations.
An autopsy conducted at Lee Funeral Home by government pathologist Johansen Oduor, alongside a family-appointed pathologist, established that Jirongo died from blunt force trauma to the chest. The report further revealed that he sustained fractures to both hands and feet, a protruding spine, and severe internal bleeding.
Funeral itinerary
The late MP is set to be buried on December 30, 2025, at his first wife’s home in Lumakanda, where both his parents were laid to rest.
According to the funeral programme, Jirongo’s body will leave Lee Funeral Home on December 26, 2025, for a funeral service at CITAM Valley Road, before being taken to his Gigiri home in Nairobi, where it will spend the night.
The following day, the body will be airlifted to Kitale, his second wife’s home, where it will also spend a night. It will then arrive at his Lumakanda homestead on the morning of December 29, 2025, ahead of burial the next day.
This arrangement aligns with Luhya cultural traditions, which require that in cases of polygamy, the body of the deceased is taken to all homesteads before final burial at the first wife’s compound.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has confirmed that investigations into Jirongo’s death are ongoing, with detectives pursuing persons of interest as they seek to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.