Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale has called on political leaders from all sides to maintain decency and respect while mourning the late former Lugari MP, Cyrus Jirongo.

During a visit to his rural home in Lumakanda on Sunday, December 14, 2025, Khalwale appealed to both government and opposition figures to honour Jirongo in a manner befitting his legacy.

 He emphasised that the late politician’s contributions over the past 64 years should be acknowledged respectfully, regardless of political affiliations.

Watch: Former minister Cyrus Jirongo dies in Naivasha road crash

The senator’s remarks come at a time when leaders from different sides are expected to attend Jirongo’s funeral.

According to Khalwale, his appeal seeks to ensure that the proceedings remain dignified and focused on commemorating Jirongo’s life and public service rather than fuelling partisan disagreements.

“I want to appeal to all players, both from the government and the opposition, to accord Jirongo the required respect that is in accordance with the name that Jirongo has held for the past 64 years,” Khalwale said.

This comes at a time when there are heightened burial arrangements.

The funeral steering committee has stated that the body of the late will be transported from Lee Funeral Home to Kitale ahead of his burial at his Lumakanda home in Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County.

“Today I received a phone call from Nairobi; I was informed that after the body leaves Nairobi, it will be taken to Kitale, then here to Lumakanda for burial,” a funeral steering committee member said.

This arrangement is in tandem with most Luhya traditions, especially when the deceased is a polygamous man.

Traditionally, upon release from the mortuary after preservation while funeral arrangements take place, the body is taken to the home of the younger wife before finally being taken to the elder wife’s homestead, where burial usually occurs.

Jirongo appears to have followed suit.

Jirongo-Khalwale friendship

Khalwale’s friendship with Jirongo is not limited to his death alone.

During the 2022 General Election campaigns, when the two were on opposing political sides, Khalwale was in Kenya Kwanza and supported Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala for the Kakamega Gubernatorial seat.

Jirongo was eyeing the same seat under the Azimio ticket; Jirongo nonetheless endorsed Khalwale for the Senate seat.

Endorsing Khalwale

He stated that despite their political differences and camps, he had confidence in Khalwale’s candidature, noting that Khalwale was best positioned to serve as senator and the only one who is able to articulate the needs of the people of Western Kenya.

Khalwale has never taken this endorsement for granted and has on several occasions expressed appreciation to Jirongo for the gesture by replaying the footage.

Following the announcement of Jirongo’s death, Khalwale again reposted the clip of the endorsement as a way of honouring the late leader who defied his coalition’s direction and endorsed him.