Questions over Jirongo's death raised during his requiem mass

Pallbearers carry the coffin containing the remains of the late Cyrus Jirongo to load it to the hearse after the requiem mass at CITAM,Valley road Nairobi on December 27,2025.He will be raid to rest on December 30,2025 at Lumakanda,in Kakamega county.[Benard Orwongo, Standard]

Calls for thorough investigations into the mysterious death of United Democratic Party leader Cyrus Jirongo took centre stage during the requiem mass held in his honour in Nairobi.

Several political leaders who spoke during the mass, held at CITAM Church, Valley Road, said that Jirongo’s journey to Naivasha appeared suspicious and that there was a high likelihood that he did not drive himself there willingly.

Former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, one of his close allies, said he could vouch that the late flamboyant politician did not drive himself to Naivasha in the state he was in, wondering where the 60 passengers of the bus that crashed with his vehicle were to tell their side of the story.

“Jirongo was driving one of the latest Mercedes-Benz models with 12 airbags, where none deployed after the impact of the crash, which raises questions as to whether the vehicle was placed there to be hit, since we are not convinced that he drove himself to Naivasha at that particular hour,” said Khaniri.

The former Vihiga senator said that the Jirongo family wanted closure over the matter and that this was the reason they were calling for a thorough forensic investigation to establish what really happened, since what they were being told was not adding up and was raising more questions than answers.

DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa told mourners that Jirongo was one politician who spoke truth to power, which made some people uncomfortable, and that it was upon state investigative agencies to establish what happened to him, noting that Jirongo had expressed fears over his life in the recent past.

Wamalwa said that Jirongo would have opposed current conversations such as calls for a referendum to amend the Constitution, which he said was not a priority at the moment, as well as the Singapore dream being advanced by President William Ruto, arguing that the government had not managed available resources well.

“We want to know what happened to Cyrus Jirongo, and if anyone had a hand in his death, he should face the law. He was one person who loved his country and community. The only thing we can do to honour him is to ensure that the Mulembe Nation is united, as he always wished,” said Wamalwa.

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua said she had been collaborating with Jirongo on various political matters as the country prepared for the next General Election and that he was concerned about his safety, making plans to secure himself before the tragedy that ended his life befell him.

Karua said Jirongo was concerned about improving the wellbeing of the country and ensuring good governance and was actively involved in efforts to liberate the country from bad leadership, urging those of like minds who had been left behind to join hands to ensure this happens.

“Cyrus Jirongo has gone before hitting big in politics and business, since he had very good plans. I am calling on his family, friends and associates to continue with his good legacy, where he wanted all Kenyans to lead a comfortable life, which was exhibited through his generosity,” said Karua.

Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria said he had known Jirongo for the last 33 years, having met him for the first time while he was a student leader at the University of Nairobi, when Jirongo was campaigning to ensure that late President Daniel arap Moi secured re-election in 1992.

Kuria said the truth about Jirongo’s death should be known and that he was ready to buy the torch and knife that would be used to perform rituals by Tiriki elders to ensure that if anyone was involved in his death, they would face consequences as per Luhya culture.

“Jirongo was a political genius and a great mobiliser who helped former President Daniel arap Moi overcome the turbulence of the 1992 General Election. He was also a great thinker, which was exhibited in his business acumen that enabled him to engage in several successful enterprises,” said Kuria.

Former Busia Senator Amos Wako said he first knew Jirongo in 1992 while serving as Attorney General and noted that he was a man of great zeal and concern for the future of Kenya and the Mulembe Nation, qualities that endeared him to the late President Moi.

Wako recalled an incident in which Jirongo told him they would make him Chief Justice, an offer he declined, only for former Cabinet ministers Elijah Mwangale and Burudi Nabwera to repeat the same proposal, which he also politely declined, saying that after serving as Attorney General for one year, he did not feel qualified.

“I was later surprised when President Moi invited me and informed me that he wanted to make me Chief Justice since Chief Justice Hancox was set to retire and he wanted him to be succeeded by me. I felt I was not ready for the position, and after convincing him, he gave me the assignment of looking for a suitable replacement, after which I brought in Justice Apaloo from Ghana,” said Wako.

Former Nairobi Town Clerk Phillip Kisia said Jirongo was a go-getter who would fix an interview with the Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi through his mother while he was pursuing diplomatic channels, and he managed to sign some mega business deals to his surprise.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera said that Jirongo was a leading contractor and developer before joining Youth for KANU ’92, putting up several estates in Nairobi, and that he was among the few at the time to do so, which most likely caught President Moi’s attention and led to his recruitment.

Jirongo was mourned as a devoted family man by his three widows — Anne Kanini, Christine Nyokabi and Anne Lanoi — while his children said he was a fair father who always wanted the best for them.