LIKUYANI — The air in Kongoni village was heavy with grief on Monday as National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula arrived at the home of the late Dr. Enoch Kibunguchy. For the people of Western Kenya, this was not just another condolence visit; it was a sombre punctuation mark to a tragic month that has seen the region lose two of its most seasoned political titans in quick succession.

Wetang’ula, visibly moved, stepped into the compound just days after the death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, a coincidence that has left the local leadership reeling. His mission was personal and political: to offer a shoulder to Kibunguchy’s widow, Josephine Menjo, and to quell the rising tide of anxiety in a constituency that feels besieged by loss.

A Message of Comfort Amidst Uncertainty

Sitting with the family, Wetang’ula steered clear of the volatile speculation surrounding the death, focusing instead on the human cost of the tragedy. He described the late MP as a "devoted public servant" whose medical background gave him a unique, compassionate edge in politics.

“I pray for God’s protection and comfort upon his widow, Mrs. Josephine Menjo, and their children as they come to terms with this great loss,” Wetang’ula said, his voice measured. “Beyond elective politics, Dr. Kibunguchy had a stellar public service career, holding senior positions in the Ministry of Health. We have lost a professional and a patriot.”

The Speaker’s presence was a strategic balm. With the region still processing Jirongo’s passing, the death of Kibunguchy—who served as the founding MP for Likuyani from 2013 to 2022—has created a leadership vacuum that risks sparking political jitteriness. Wetang’ula’s message was one of continuity and stability.

The Shadow of ‘Foul Play’

While the Speaker preached peace, the atmosphere outside the main house remains charged. Family members have quietly, and sometimes loudly, questioned the circumstances of the 72-year-old’s death. Dr. Kibunguchy passed away on Tuesday, December 23, at an Eldoret hospital, with close relatives alleging severe food poisoning.

These allegations have added a layer of investigative urgency to the mourning period. The family has called for a thorough probe, a sentiment that hung unspoken in the air during the Speaker's visit. For the mwananchi in Likuyani, the question isn't just who will replace him, but what exactly happened to their leader.

A Legacy of Service

Dr. Kibunguchy was not your typical politician. A trained obstetrician-gynecologist, he often viewed his constituency through the lens of a doctor—diagnosing problems and prescribing development. His career trajectory was impressive:

• 2002–2007: Served as MP for the larger Lugari Constituency, unseating Cyrus Jirongo.
• 2013–2022: Served two terms as the MP for the newly created Likuyani Constituency.
• Medical Career: Former Assistant Director of Medical Services at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

His recent defection to the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) signaled he was not done with politics, eyeing a comeback in 2027. That dream, and the hopes of his supporters, ended abruptly last week.

As the sun set over Likuyani, Wetang’ula signed the condolence book, a final official act for a colleague he had known for decades. “The region has lost two towering leaders,” he noted, linking Kibunguchy and Jirongo in a final tribute. “May their values light the path for generations to come.”