Lugari Constituency and the wider Western Kenya region are reeling from a rare political tragedy following the death of former Member of Parliament Dr. Enoch Wamalwa Kibunguchy, just days after the passing of his predecessor Cyrus Jirongo.
Dr. Kibunguchy, a veteran politician and medical doctor by profession, died while receiving treatment in Eldoret, with his family and close associates confirming the sad news on Tuesday. His death comes barely ten days after Jirongo, the man he replaced as Lugari MP in 2002, died in a grisly road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
The back-to-back deaths have cast a sombre mood over Lugari, with residents and leaders describing the coincidence as both shocking and deeply unsettling.
Dr. Kibunguchy entered elective politics at the height of the NARC wave in 2002, defeating Cyrus Jirongo to become Lugari MP, a seat he held until 2007. Following the creation of new constituencies, he later reinvented his political career as the founding Member of Parliament for Likuyani Constituency, serving two consecutive terms from 2013 to 2022.
Throughout his political life, Kibunguchy earned a reputation as a soft-spoken but firm leader, focusing largely on education, health services, and grassroots development — values shaped by his medical background. Leaders across party lines have hailed him as a disciplined public servant whose impact extended beyond politics.
His death comes at a time when Lugari is still mourning Cyrus Jirongo, a flamboyant and influential political figure whose sudden death sparked public debate and calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash that claimed his life. Jirongo’s passing had already reopened conversations about road safety, accountability, and the fragility of life among Kenya’s political elite.
The near-simultaneous loss of two former MPs who once shared a political succession has revived reflections on Lugari’s political history and leadership transitions spanning more than two decades.
Political observers note that Dr. Kibunguchy had remained active in public discourse and was quietly positioning himself for a political comeback ahead of the 2027 General Election, making his death not only a personal loss to his family but also a significant blow to local political dynamics.
As tributes continue to pour in, Lugari finds itself mourning two towering figures, linked by office, history, and now fate — a moment that has left the constituency searching for meaning amid grief.
