An outpouring of grief has followed the death of veteran politician and businessman Cyrus Jirongo, with emotional tributes emerging from across the political divide.
One of the most moving reactions came from Lorna, a woman affiliated with Jirongo’s United Democratic Party {UDP}, who took to Facebook to express her disbelief, pain, and confusion in a deeply personal post.
Lorna revealed that for the first time since she knew Jirongo, her calls and messages went unanswered, an unsettling silence that foreshadowed the tragic news.
Struggling to accept the reality, she wrote: “For the first time since I knew you, I have called you five times and my calls have not been answered… so the first call I woke up to today telling me that you are no more is true?”
Cyrus jirongo {left}and Lorna Simatwa {right}. Photo: Lorna Simatwa/facebook.
Her post shifted between English and Kiswahili, underscoring raw emotion as she questioned what lay ahead without her mentor.
In one passage, she cried, “Hapa Busia mimi nitaambia watu nini jameni? What happens to the plans we had about our party?” She went on to express fear over her political future, asking, “What happens to my political alignment now? The deals we had striked?”
Lorna also recalled Jirongo’s personal assurance to stand by her political journey, lamenting, “You promised to support me throughout my political journey, didn’t you? Ama I am just having a nightmare nitaamka hapo mbele?” Hon. Cyrus Jirongo, my party leader and friend, hii umenimaliza kabisaaaaa, naanzia wapi mimi?”