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During the emotional farewell service for his late daughter, Lorraine Elizabeth Khalamwa Jelagat Jirongo, veteran politician Cyrus Jirongo lightened the sombre mood with a heartfelt yet humorous tribute to his ex-wife, Caroline.
Speaking to mourners, Jirongo couldn’t help but reminisce about Caroline’s stunning beauty.
He affectionately described her as "the prettiest girl in town" back in their day, a beauty that his "big eyes" couldn’t miss.
Jirongo elicited cheerful laughter after he described his ex-wife Caroline, former Maendeleo Ya Wanawake chair and KANU politician Zipporah Kittony’s daughter stating she was the prettiest girl in town.
“Mama knows, she had the prettiest girl in this town at our times and there is no way with my big eyes I would not have seen her,” he said.
The former Lugari MP went on to humorously admit that he was the reason their relationship ended, confessing that his wandering eye led Caroline to leave him.
“She took off because I kept seeing others and I saw another three. She said no, I can’t stand this character ako na tabia mbaya, akiona huyu anataka, akiona huyu anataka,” the veteran politician noted.
Despite their past, Jirongo had no hard feelings, acknowledging that Caroline later married Munyua Waiyaki. In a surprising moment, he even invited Munyua to speak, officially introducing him as Caroline’s second husband.
“Na nikitoka hapa msiniulize maswali, mjue mimi ndio nilikuwa bwana wa kwanza, Munyua akachukua bwana wa pili,” Jirongo said.
Munyua, not one to be left behind in the banter, playfully responded that he had worked closely with Jirongo and was lucky enough to marry Caroline after Jirongo “dropped the ball.”
Jirongo while speaking about his late daughter Lorraine, described her as a fearless and intelligent young woman who embodied his best qualities.
“You know my children, they are open, fearless, and strong. I don’t think I’m stupid; I’m very intelligent, and she had those qualities. I’m also not mean, when I have, I give. But nikikosa, sipatiani,” he said.
In a moment that caught many off guard, Jirongo decided to introduce his large family, a move that turned into an unexpected comedic break in the otherwise sombre gathering.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce my children who are here. Na nikitoka hapa, msiniulize,” he said, causing another round of laughter.
His children, including Ruby Jirongo, Leon Jirongo, Tanya Nyambura, Nicole Jirongo, and Claudia Khalamwa, stood up and introduced themselves by profession.
Others present included Sharon Jirongo, Timothy Jirongo, Sonia Jirongo, June Injete, and Judy Khalamwa.
In his signature lighthearted tone, Jirongo also acknowledged his wife, Anne, for holding the family together despite his polygamous nature.
Anne introduced herself and said, “I’m the mother to all these children. I raised them in my house.”
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