National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has raised concerns about the alarming rate of deaths among honourable members, following the sudden passing of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

Speaking during the burial of nominated MP Joseph Hamisi Dennar on Saturday, December 13, 2025, in Mazeras, the speaker bemoaned that the country was losing its former and current honourable members at an alarming rate.

Tragedies following us

“We have lost many MPs as a house this term. Tragedies keep following us every time. On Monday, I left Uganda and went to Bungoma to visit my elder brother, who has been sick. I left him on Wednesday, and on that night, he was pronounced dead.”

“Yesterday, when we concluded the Jamhuri celebrations, Cyrus Jirongo phoned me for a meeting, and we sat with him until 9:30 pm, when I left him. Today, I have woken up to messages of condolences that he is no more,” he said.

“This is the reality of the life of a human. God has made it a secret that no one knows his day,” he said.

The speaker concluded by challenging MPs to uphold the practice of showing solidarity during trying times and unity in times of bereavement.

“As MPs, you must be at the forefront to work together, as life remains fickle and subject to change at any time,” he advised.

The Speaker’s sentiments come after news of the death of former Lugari Member of Parliament and one of Kenya’s most colourful political figures, Cyrus Jirongo, came through this Saturday.

Jirongo’s demise

Bungoma Governor and the former Speaker of the Senate, Kenneth Lusaka, was among the first leaders to confirm the tragic news.

In a statement on X, Kenneth Lusaka mourned Jirongo:

“Death has robbed us of one of our greatest sons. Rest in peace, Hon. Cyrus Jirongo,” Lusaka wrote, sending the nation into mourning over the loss of one of Kenya’s most outspoken and controversial political figures.

The news elicited an outpouring of emotions, with President William Ruto and former president Uhuru Kenyatta leading the tributes to the former MP.

Other influential leaders who have mourned the politician include Francis Atwoli, the Secretary-General of the Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K).