Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has donated Ksh100,000 to kickstart burial preparations for the late former Lugari MP, Cyrus Jirongo.

The governor made the donation on Saturday, December 13, 2025, after visiting Jirongo’s rural home, which he found deserted.

While neighbours and friends had gathered to mourn, no immediate family members were present, as they were all in Nairobi, where the family spent most of their time.

The chairman of the funeral steering committee, who was identified as Ngome, appealed to the governor for help, explaining that mourners were arriving in large numbers, yet there was no support system in place.

He noted that according to Luhya customs, no mourner should leave a bereaved home without being offered at least drinking water.

He therefore asked the governor to intervene and help kickstart the burial preparations.

 “Tumekuja hapa tukapata mama hayuko na watoto wameenda Nairobi tukawa sisi tu pekee yetu. Sasa tukashindwa wageni wakija hata maji ya kunywa hatuna. Tumeshindwa, tutaanza namna gani, lakini tunajua wewe ukiwa hapa hata maji itapatikana,” Ngome said.

Responding to the plea, Governor Barasa said Jirongo’s funeral was no longer a family matter alone but a collective responsibility.

He added that even if the family had been present, it would have been inappropriate to burden them, noting that it was the duty of Jirongo’s friends and associates to contribute towards the funeral arrangements.

The contribution

The governor then contributed Ksh100,000, saying the amount was only meant to kickstart the process and that more contributions would follow as burial plans became more organised.

 “Mimi nitaacha Ksh100,000 kuanzia sasa, kwa sababu najua desturi ya watu wetu. Na hii ni ya kuanza tu, kwa sababu hatujaanza kutoa officially; ni kwa sababu wewe umeomba.” Barasa stated.

Jrongo’s demise

Jirongo’s death occurred barely a day earlier following a tragic road accident at Karai in Naivasha, along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.

He was driving himself when his vehicle collided with a Climax Coach bus on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at around 3:00 a.m.

His body was later transferred from Naivasha Sub-County Mortuary to Lee Funeral Home.

Since his death, politicians and mourners have streamed into his homes in Nairobi, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Trans Nzoia to pay their last respects to the former Youth for KANU 1992 (YK’92) leader, a group that played a significant role in securing former President Daniel Moi’s re-election in 1992.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has also expressed deep sorrow over Jirongo’s passing, revealing that they had spent time together in Karen just hours before his death, only to later receive the shocking news of his demise.