Speaker Wetang'ula 'hounded' by Jirongo's torch as DCI tighten probe

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula. [File, Standard] National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is among 28 individuals who have recorded statements over the death of former Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo in a road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, as detectives try to answer some of the lingering hard questions. Jirongo's sudden death on December 13, 2025, drew an uproar, with leaders, especially from the Western region, claiming the accident was an "assassination" of the once influential politician. The former Lugari MP died on the spot when the Mercedes-Benz he was driving collided head-on with a Busia-bound Climax bus. Preliminary investigations showed the crash occurred at 2:18am. The impact near Eagol Petrol Station dragged Jirongo's car about 25 metres away from the crash site. This was just about three seconds after the former minister made a U-turn through the station, heading back to Nairobi. When traffic police officers cleared the scene, the wreckage was towed to the police station, while the stranded passengers were transferred to a rescue bus and proceeded with their journey. In a bid to debunk the assassination claim, Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss Mohamed Amin assigned officers from the Homicide Investigations Bureau to probe the matter amid scepticism from a number of politicians pushing for an independent inquiry. Among the tough questions the sleuths have been challenged to answer are: how Jirongo found himself in Naivasha, whether he was driving himself along the way, the names of the passengers in the ill-fated bus, why the airbags of his Mercedes-Benz failed to deploy after the impact, and claims that Jirongo's injuries were inconsistent with those of a car crash. "If they (DCI) answer these questions, then we will be satisfied that it was an accident. But if there was a hand in his death, then we will not accept, and demand to know who wanted him dead," said former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri yesterday. Khaniri recorded his statement on January 7, a few days after Wetang'ula had presented himself to detectives, shedding light on the matter. It is understood the Speaker shared information he had regarding their meeting at Oasis Restaurant on the night of December 12 last year, before Jirongo died hours later, some 80 kilometres away in Naivasha. Wetang'ula was among the last people to be seen with Jirongo. The two had a meeting at Oasis Restaurant that lasted almost one hour, between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, on Jamhuri Day. While Wetang'ula excused himself and left, Jirongo remained at the establishment until around 11pm, when he drove off in his white Mercedes-Benz. About three hours later, the politician died in the crash. Even though some leaders and a section of the public have read foul play into the incident, police have maintained it was an accident. "It was an accident, and there was no foul play at all. But we are inviting all those who have contrary information to provide it to us since the investigation is still active," said Amin, adding that so far 28 individuals have recorded statements. Among them are Jirongo's wife, Ann Lanoi Pertet, and daughter Sonia; Rebman Malala, the proprietor of Oasis Restaurant; Khaniri's wife; and seven passengers who were on board the Climax bus.Others include the bus driver, Tiras Kamau Githinji, and conductor Manoah Ekokwa Alukoya Olasi, as well as staff members at Eagol Petrol Station. Ibrahim Sambuli, who had an interaction with Jirongo at Oasis Restaurant, also provided investigators with an account of events at the establishment. Detectives have further recorded a statement from Julius Kiprotich Chelule, the driver of the alleged rescue bus, registration number KCU 573A. "There is nothing we're hiding; we want to conclude the investigations and forward the file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further direction," said Amin. The probe is being led by the Director of the Homicide Investigations Bureau, Martin Nyuguto, who remained optimistic it would be conducted to its logical conclusion. Apart from revisiting the accident scene, homicide detectives have visited Busia and Kakamega to interrogate some of the passengers. According to investigations, the bus had 51 passengers on board. On the night of December 12, the bus left Machakos Bus Terminal at around 9.30pm, with some passengers heading to Daraja Stage in Kibra, where the crew picked up 12 more passengers. The driver then left for Kawangware, where another 12 passengers boarded, before making a final stop at Gitaru, where five more came on board. Detectives say the driver hit the road at around 11.30pm, making several stops along the highway. "Though this was an accident, we're pursuing and interrogating all aspects following the concerns raised, which we're treating seriously as we expect to interview more people," said Nyuguto. On January 5, the DCI, in an update, said they had launched thorough investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, with a multi-disciplinary team from the Homicide Investigations Bureau, the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau, and forensic specialists from the National Forensic Laboratory deployed on the ground. The bus manifest and amateur videos from the scene were obtained and subjected to forensic analysis. "Based on the evidence gathered and analysed to date, the incident appears to be a road traffic accident, with no indications of foul play. Upon conclusion of the remaining investigative processes, the investigation file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for appropriate directions, including potential criminal charges against the PSV driver, in line with the available evidence," said the DCI in a statement issued by Director of Communications John Marete.

Speaker Wetang'ula 'hounded' by Jirongo's torch as DCI tighten probe

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Speaker Wetang'ula 'hounded' by Jirongo's torch as DCI tighten probe

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