Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has called on Tiriki elders to invoke traditional rites in the burial of former Lugari Member of Parliament (MP) Cyrus Jirongo, including placing a torch inside his casket.

Speaking on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Milima Ward during an initiation ceremony at the home of former Milima Ward MCA Elvis Abuka, Natembeya said Tiriki customs allow for such rites to be performed when one of their own dies under controversial or unclear circumstances.

According to the governor, Tiriki burial traditions dictate that in such cases, the deceased is buried with a lit torch, symbolising the pursuit of justice.

Culturally, it is believed that the torch continues to “illuminate” those responsible for the death, and once the torch goes out, the person responsible also meets their fate.

Natembeya said he believes that if these traditional norms are applied in Jirongo’s burial, any individual involved in his death would not know peace and would eventually be exposed.

“Na mimi naambia Watiriki, kwa sababu Mtiriki mtu wao akikufa kwa njia ambayo haijulikani, wanazikwa na torch. Hiyo torch inawekwa makaa na inamulika, inaenda kuwamulika wale ambao walimaliza marehemu. Wakati inazima, yule aliua pia anazima. Tunazika Jirongo, lakini tunazika na torch. Aki ya Mungu, kama kuna mtu aliguza Jirongo, ataenda,” Natembeya said.

The Trans Nzoia governor further claimed that several past leaders from the Luhya community who strongly opposed state excesses also died under similar circumstances, arguing that Jirongo’s death should not be treated lightly or forgotten.

His remarks come just days after a delegation of Tiriki elders visited Jirongo’s home, where they invoked curses against anyone who may have played a role in the former MP’s death.

Elders’ visitation

One elder, identified as Wandabuli, who donned religious attire synonymous with the African Divine Church, which is domiciled in major parts of Western Kenya, in his prayer told Jirongo’s spirit that if there was anyone involved in his demise, he should pursue them relentlessly and deny them peace.

“If there is anybody involved in Jirongo’s death, we tell him not to rest and to lie supine and follow that killer to the grave,” prayed elder Wandabuli.

Another elder, Thomas Ingara, who is in charge of Tiriki traditions and rituals and who led the delegation, portrayed Jirongo as the pride of the community, noting that many looked up to him.

He went ahead to declare that should anyone have been involved in his death, the blood of the Tiriki would follow them to the grave.

“Mimi ni mwifadhi mila na tamaduni za Mtiriki. Jirongo alipita kwa mikono yangu hii. Jirongo ndio macho ya Watiriki. Sisi pahali tuko tunafikirianga Jirongo pekee yake. Kwa bahati mbaya ametoka katikati yetu, lakini hatuwezi kubadilisha chochote. Mdomo wa Watiriki au damu ya Watiriki itazungumza yote,” Thomas Ingara said.

Natembeya’s suggestion forms part of funeral rites likely to be performed on Jirongo upon demise.

This comes ahead of Jirongo’s burial at Lumakanda on December 30, 2025.