How ex-Cabinet minister died in late night crash

Members of the public view the wreck of a mercedes car which former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo was driving before it was involved in a head on collision with a Climax Bus killing him on the spot in Karai, Naivasha along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on Saturday morning.[Antony Gitonga,Standard]

Former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo died after the car he was travelling in was involved in a grisly road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

His Mercedes rammed head-on into a bus in Karai, Naivasha, killing him on the spot.

The politician was alone when the accident occurred at about 3am and was on his way to Nairobi after attending a meeting in Naivasha.

According to witnesses, Jirongo had joined the highway from a petrol station along the road when the accident occurred, leaving him trapped in the wreckage for more than an hour.

The driver of the Climax bus, Tiras Kamau, said he was heading to Western Kenya from Nairobi. Kamau said the deceased joined the highway and failed to keep his lane, as there were other vehicles also heading towards Nairobi.

"I had 67 passengers on board, and if I had veered off the road, I would have killed all of them, and we ended up having a head-on collision with the car carrying the politician," he said.

Kamau added that no one on the bus was injured but blamed the deceased for joining the highway without checking for oncoming vehicles.

Naivasha DCIO Isaac Kiama said Jirongo sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot. "There was an accident involving a bus and a private car along the highway, and in the process, we lost former MP Cyrus Jirongo," he said.

Hours earlier, a couple travelling to Naivasha from Kiambu died after their car rammed into a trailer along the Naivasha-Mai Mahiu road near High Peak Academy on Friday evening.

In Nairobi, Lee Funeral Home was a beehive of activity after Jirongo's body arrived early in the morning, as family members, friends and politicians gathered before proceeding to his home at 158 Whispers on UN Avenue.

Speaking at the funeral home, former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia eulogised Jirongo as a man who was more than just a Lugari MP.

"He was a Cabinet minister and an astute international businessman. Jirongo was a family man and a friend to many. He had an open and big heart and would forgive those who offended him," he said.

Former Westlands MP Fred Gumo said Jirongo was loved by many, adding that the country had lost one of its finest politicians.

"In his mind, he always believed he would lead this country. He told people that with money, you can get anywhere. He urged politicians to use money to reach where they wanted to be," Gumo said.

He added that in 1992, when many were almost giving up, Jirongo gave them hope when he led YK'92 in support of former President Moi's presidency.

"The Sh500 note was created because of Cyrus, because he thought the Sh100 and Sh200 notes were too small. This country can be very cruel. It always takes the best, and now Cyrus is gone," Gumo said.

Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera said he was saddened and shocked by Jirongo's death, urging the public to give the family time before discussing the way forward.

"You are aware that Cyrus has a large family that depended on him. Let us give them peace and time to meet and discuss the way forward," he said.