A dramatic cultural ritual involving a burning torch took place at the homestead of former Cabinet Minister and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo in Lumakanda, Kakamega County, conducted by Senator Boni Khalwale. This traditional Luhya rite, typically used in cases of contested deaths, has ignited widespread debate.

• The spotlight (torch) ritual is a traditional practice among some Tiriki and broader Luhya subgroups to symbolically summon truth and justice regarding a death.
• Khalwale, though not placing the torch in the coffin, invoked Jirongo’s name to pursue his alleged killers.
• Jirongo, aged 64, died on December 13 in a road accident on the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
• Chairman of the burial committee Fred Gumo and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa defended the ritual as a call for thorough investigations into Jirongo’s death.