Former Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo Killed in Early Morning Road Accident
Former Cabinet Minister and ex-Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo has died following a road traffic accident that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, prompting an outpouring of tributes from leaders across the country.
Reports indicate that Jirongo passed away at around 3am after being involved in a collision along the busy Nairobi–Nakuru highway. The incident is said to have occurred in the Karai area of Naivasha as the veteran politician was travelling back to his home in Lugari.
Police sources confirmed that the accident involved Jirongo’s vehicle and a 45-seater passenger bus. Rift Valley traffic enforcement officer Sarah Chumo stated that the car carrying the former legislator reportedly rammed into the bus, sustaining extensive damage. Jirongo was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The vehicle he was travelling in collided with a passenger bus along the highway. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident are ongoing,” Chumo said while confirming the incident.
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Jirongo, aged 64, was a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, particularly during the late President Daniel arap Moi’s administration. He served as Minister for Rural Development between March 2002 and December 2002, a period that marked the final year of Moi’s presidency.
In addition to his Cabinet role, Jirongo represented Lugari Constituency in Parliament during two separate terms. He first served as Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2002 before returning to the House between 2007 and 2013. During his time in Parliament, he was known as a vocal and influential legislator, especially within the then-ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) party.
After leaving Parliament, Jirongo remained active in politics, albeit with mixed fortunes. In the 2017 General Election, he made a high-profile bid for the presidency under the United Democratic Party (UDP). However, his campaign failed to gain significant national traction, and he finished the race with just over 11,000 votes, accounting for approximately 0.07 per cent of the total votes cast.
Five years later, in the 2022 General Election, Jirongo shifted focus to county politics, contesting the Kakamega gubernatorial seat on a UDP ticket. He was, however, defeated by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate Fernandes Barasa, after which he largely retreated from the political spotlight.
Despite maintaining a relatively low public profile following his 2022 election loss, Jirongo remained politically engaged. In recent weeks, he had publicly endorsed DAP-Kenya candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava parliamentary by-election and was actively involved in campaigning ahead of the mini-poll held on November 27.
News of his death has since triggered a wave of condolences from political leaders, trade unionists, and members of the public who remembered him as both a seasoned politician and a businessman.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka led the tributes, describing Jirongo as an influential leader whose contribution to public service would not be forgotten.
“Death has robbed us of one of our greatest sons. Rest in peace, Honourable Cyrus Jirongo,” Lusaka said in a brief statement.
Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli also expressed his shock at the news, paying tribute to Jirongo’s role in national development.
“This morning, with a lot of shock and sadness, I have learnt of the passing on of Cyrus Jirongo, who was an asset to our community and Kenya,” Atwoli wrote. “We loved him, but God loved him more. May your soul rest in peace.”
Jirongo’s death marks the end of a long and eventful chapter in Kenyan politics, spanning decades of public service, electoral contests, and political influence. Authorities have indicated that further details regarding the accident will be communicated once investigations are concluded.
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Former Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo Killed in Early Morning Road Accident
