Fresh questions have been raised about the final movements of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, even as police maintain that he died in a road accident along the Nakuru–Naivasha Highway.
The funeral committee, chaired by former Westlands MP Fred Gumo and assisted by George Khaniri, has called on investigators to provide a clearer account of Jirongo’s last hours. According to the committee, the family is struggling to reconcile the official narrative with what they know about his planned journey that night.
“We are demanding answers. The family wants answers,” Gumo said.
“He was travelling from Karen to his home in Gigiri. How did he end up all the way in Naivasha?”
Journey That Raised Questions
Gumo explained that Jirongo had left Karen intending to return to his residence in Gigiri, a relatively short drive within Nairobi. The family has questioned how he ended up several kilometres outside the city on a major highway in the early hours of the morning.
The committee has urged investigators to reconstruct his movements in detail, including reviewing CCTV footage along his route.
“Only the police can establish what happened,” Gumo said. “Let them look at CCTV footage, even on the highway, and tell us what happened because we want answers.”
Wetang’ula Confirms Last Public Meeting
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has confirmed that he met Jirongo earlier that evening at a restaurant in Karen on Jamhuri Day.
Wetang’ula said the two spoke between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, describing the meeting as a routine conversation between long-time political colleagues.
He said there was nothing unusual about the interaction and no indication it would be their last encounter.
“I told him I was going to rest because the next day I was travelling,” Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker added that he only learnt of Jirongo’s death the following morning after seeing messages on his phone.
Police Account of the Fatal Crash
According to a police report filed at Naivasha Police Station, Jirongo died at around 3am after his Mercedes-Benz was involved in a head-on collision with a passenger bus along the Nakuru–Naivasha Highway.
Police said Jirongo was driving from the Nakuru direction towards Nairobi when his vehicle failed to remain in its lane and collided with an oncoming bus operated by Climax Coaches.
The bus was travelling from Nairobi to Busia and was carrying 65 passengers at the time of the crash. Jirongo, who was 64, sustained fatal head injuries and died at the scene.
Mike Sonko Defends Bus Driver
Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has publicly defended the bus driver involved in the accident, identifying him as Tirus Kamau Githinji, 52.
Sonko said the driver acted to protect his passengers and should not be blamed for the collision. He argued that the law protects drivers who make emergency decisions when faced with danger on the road.
“I stand with that driver because he acted to save 65 passengers,” Sonko said.
Offer of Legal Support
Sonko further stated that Jirongo’s vehicle failed to give way and pledged to offer legal assistance to the driver if he is arrested.
“That particular driver, I will be the first one to bail him out,” Sonko said.
By Geoffrey mbuthia
