Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, attended the burial service of former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo at Lumakanda, Kakamega County.

Uhuru’s arrival drew emotional reactions from mourners who had gathered to pay their final respects.

“His Excellency President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta attends the burial ceremony of former Lugari MP Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo in Lumakanda, Kakamega County,” Uhuru’s office wrote on X.

The fourth president of Kenya arrived at the funeral grounds shortly after 11:30 a.m., during an ongoing sermon at the service.

Crowd cheers

His entrance briefly interrupted the proceedings as sections of the crowd rose to their feet, with loud ululations and cheers breaking out across the venue.

The preacher momentarily paused the service to allow the fourth Head of State to take his seat before resuming the programme.

Crowd erupts with joy and ululations as former president Uhuru Kenyatta arrives at Cyrus Jirongo's funeral service. pic.twitter.com/O8fZb7U2H8

— K24TV (@K24Tv) December 30, 2025

Uhuru’s presence added to the list of high-profile leaders who turned up to honour Jirongo, a seasoned politician and businessman who played a prominent role in Kenya’s political landscape over several decades.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, and Retired Chief Justice David Maraga are also among the dignitaries attending Jirongo’s burial.

Jirongo died on December 13, 2025, after his car was involved in a head-on collision with a bus ferrying passengers from Nairobi at the Karai area in Naivasha, along the busy Nakuru-Nairobi highway.

The 64-year-old was travelling in his private vehicle along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway when it collided with a Climax Coaches bus.

Jirongo, who previously served as Lugari MP and later vied for the presidency, is remembered as a bold political mobiliser and influential figure in Western Kenya politics. His death shocked many across the country, drawing condolences from leaders across the political divide.

Jirongo’s death questioned

As the service continued, mourners reflected on Jirongo’s legacy, describing him as a fearless leader who left an indelible mark on national politics.

Former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri demanded a thorough forensic investigation into Jirongo’s death, arguing that there are still so many glaring gaps.

"There are so many glaring gaps in the demise of our brother…"- George Khaniri pic.twitter.com/jmZYBRipt3

— K24TV (@K24Tv) December 30, 2025

According to Khaniri, private investigators hired by the family have established that Jirongo’s vehicle had another passenger at the time it entered a petrol station shortly before the fatal crash.

Khaniri, while addressing the mourners, called on the investigators to explain how Jirongo was the only person found in the vehicle after the crash, when CCTV footage shows that there was another mystery person in the car.