Tension as Elders Clash Over Ritual To Take Cyrus Jirongo's Body Through Rear Gate into House

Tension briefly erupted at the Kitale home of the late former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo after elders clashed with the funeral committee over traditional rituals to be observed when his body arrived.

Jirongo’s body was flown from Nairobi and landed at the Kitale Airstrip on Sunday, December 28, ahead of his burial preparations. 

What was meant to be a solemn reception turned tense when elders from the Tiriki community insisted that specific cultural rites be performed before the body could be taken into the homestead.

According to the elders, tradition required the body to enter the compound through a secondary gate rather than the main entrance. 

They argued that the ritual was meant to appease ancestors and protect the family from future misfortune.

However, former Westlands MP Fred Gumo, who chairs Jirongo’s funeral committee, firmly rejected the demand, calling it outdated and unnecessary.

“Let Him Enter Through the Main Gate”

Speaking to mourners, Gumo said the ritual would only confuse and distress Jirongo’s immediate family, many of whom are unfamiliar with such practices.

“We were at the airstrip when the elders demanded that a new gate be opened for the body to pass through. They even threatened to walk away if it was not done,” Gumo said.

“But Cyrus was not a child. He had his own home, children and grandchildren. When his body comes home, it must enter through the main gate with dignity,” he added.

Gumo stressed that the family should be allowed private time with the body without being subjected to customs they do not understand or believe in.

The former MP described the proposed ritual as an old practice that no longer reflects modern realities, warning against turning the funeral into a cultural contest.

“This is something that was done many years ago. These children do not know anything about such rituals. They will only be left wondering why their father’s body was brought in through the backyard,” he said.

He urged mourners and elders to respect the family’s wishes and maintain order throughout the funeral programme.

“Let us send Cyrus off in a dignified way. Many people have come to mourn him. We should not appear disorganised or confused,” Gumo stated.

Gumo further cautioned elders against using the funeral as a platform to push cultural dominance, saying such actions would only divide mourners and distract from honouring the deceased.

He asked the family to remain firm and not allow pressure from individuals advancing rituals they do not fully understand.

The Tiriki elders were warned against disrupting the burial arrangements, with calls for calm and unity prevailing by the end of the standoff.

Jirongo’s body will remain in Kitale for a night vigil before being transported to Lugari, Kakamega County, on Monday, December 29. He will be laid to rest at his Lumakanda home on Tuesday, December 30.

The former legislator died on December 13 after a fatal road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway at Karai, near Naivasha. 

His Mercedes-Benz was hit by a speeding passenger bus travelling from Nairobi to Busia. He died on the spot after sustaining severe injuries.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is still probing the circumstances surrounding the crash following claims of possible foul play.

Cyrus Jirongo was a prominent businessman and politician whose life and legacy continue to draw national attention even in death.