President William Ruto Visits Late Cyrus Jirongo’s Home, Consoles His Widows and Family

President William Ruto on Thursday, December 18, paid a condolence visit to the Nairobi home of the late former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo, offering comfort to his widows and family following his sudden death.

The president arrived at Jirongo’s residence in Gigiri, Nairobi, in the afternoon, accompanied by a small convoy. He was received by the deceased’s three widows, close relatives, and members of the extended family, who welcomed him during the solemn visit.

As part of the tradition, President Ruto signed the condolence book before addressing the family. He offered words of encouragement and comfort, drawing from the Bible to strengthen the grieving family during what he described as a very painful moment.

Quoting Psalm 46:1, the president reminded the family that God remains a source of refuge and strength in times of trouble. In a message shared later, Ruto described Jirongo as a close friend whose passing had deeply affected him.

“Condoled with the family of my friend, the late Hon. Cyrus Jirongo, at their Gigiri home. May the word of God comfort us during this difficult time,” the president said.

Earlier, President Ruto had issued a heartfelt tribute in which he eulogised Jirongo as a determined leader, accomplished entrepreneur, and seasoned politician whose influence extended beyond politics into business and community development.

He praised Jirongo’s generosity and resilience, noting that he was a man who believed in uplifting others and never allowed setbacks to define him. Ruto also highlighted their long-standing friendship, describing the late politician as a fighter who remained optimistic even in difficult circumstances.

“Jirongo was a go-getter, a man who believed in possibilities. He faced challenges head-on and never surrendered,” Ruto said in his earlier statement.

Cyrus Jirongo first gained national prominence in the early 1990s when he became the face of the influential Youth for KANU ’92 (YK’92) movement, which played a key role in mobilising youth support for the late President Daniel arap Moi.

His political career saw him serve as Lugari MP for two terms, from 1997 to 2002 and later from 2007 to 2013. During the final year of Moi’s administration, Jirongo also held a ministerial position, further cementing his place in Kenya’s political history.

In 2013, Jirongo made an ambitious attempt to contest the presidency, although his bid was unsuccessful. Nearly a decade later, he sought the Kakamega governorship in the 2022 General Election but did not secure victory.

Jirongo passed away at the age of 64 following a tragic road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway. According to post-mortem results released on December 17, he succumbed to severe blunt force injuries sustained after his vehicle collided with a passenger bus.

Medical findings revealed extensive trauma, including multiple fractures, internal bleeding, damaged organs, and a severed spinal cord. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are still reviewing the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The family has announced that Jirongo will be laid to rest on December 30 at his ancestral home in Lumakanda, Kakamega County.