The family of the late former Lugari Member of Parliament and businessman Cyrus Jirongo has moved to clear the air following days of intense public discussion about how he will be laid to rest.
As emotions remain high after his sudden death, rumours about his burial customs have spread widely, prompting elders from his community to step forward with clarification.
According to representatives of the Tiriki Avakove clan, the claims circulating online and in public spaces do not reflect the truth of their traditions.
Clan spokesman Douglas Beru said the family was concerned that misinformation was taking attention away from the real issue, which is mourning a loved one and preparing a dignified farewell.
He made it clear that stories suggesting Jirongo would be buried with a lit torch were false and had no basis in Tiriki culture.Beru explained that the late politician’s death in a road accident in Naivasha on December 13 shocked both the family and the wider public.
Since then, many people have tried to interpret the tragedy through cultural and political lenses, leading to speculation that he would be buried using unusual or symbolic rituals.
He stressed that while every community has customs, these practices are often misunderstood when discussed outside their proper context.
The spokesman noted that Jirongo would be buried according to Tiriki traditions, but in a simple and respectful manner.
He said there was no plan to include dramatic or sensational rituals that have been suggested by some commentators. In his view, such claims only cause pain to the family and create unnecessary tension at a time when unity and empathy are needed most.He also urged Kenyans to respect the privacy of the family and allow elders to guide the burial process without outside pressure.
Beru said all burial arrangements are being handled through close consultation between family members and clan elders, as is customary. He added that Tiriki traditions are meant to honour the dead, comfort the living, and bring closure, not to fuel fear or conspiracy theories.
At the same time, the clan spokesman warned against linking cultural practices to the cause of Jirongo’s death.
While some leaders and members of the public have called for a thorough investigation into the fatal crash, Beru said it was wrong to mix these demands with unproven claims about burial rites.
He encouraged people to separate the search for truth about the accident from cultural discussions that are being misrepresented.Cyrus Jirongo was a well known figure in Kenyan politics and business, admired by some and criticised by others for his bold style and influence.
His life and career placed him at the centre of many national debates, and even in death, public attention has remained strong. His burial is expected to attract political leaders, community elders, family, and friends who will come together to pay their last respects.
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