A wave of grief swept through Nairobi on Saturday, December 7, as friends, leaders, and members of the public gathered to honour Cyrus Jirongo. While mourning his life, many attendees pressed for clarity on the events leading to his death on December 13, 2025.
George Khaniri, vice-chairperson of Jirongo’s funeral committee, spoke at the mass requiem, urging a full forensic probe into the accident. He questioned the inconsistencies in the official account and demanded transparency.
"This death has dealt me a devastating blow, and I don't know where to start. I have lost my mentor, my political mentor, and a friend," Khaniri said, expressing the personal impact of the loss.
He said the circumstances of Jirongo’s death remain unclear and troubling.
"The circumstances surrounding the death of my brother are mysteries. There are so many glaring gaps. So, when you hear us say we want a proper, thorough forensic investigation, we know what we are saying. I don't know why some people are getting uncomfortable when we say this thing."
Khaniri pointed out conflicting details in the reported accident and the need for answers.
"I have known Cyrus for many years. I can vouch for sure for the state he was in; he did not drive himself to Naivasha. There are so many inconsistencies. We are told he was in a head-on collision with a bus that was Busia-bound. The bus carrying Luhya people – tell me which Luhya does not know Cyrus."
He also questioned the reported passenger count and lack of witnesses.
"I have not seen a single passenger come and say, 'Yes, I was in that passenger that collided with Cyrus,' and yet we are told it had sixty passengers on board. Where are the passengers?"
Khaniri noted technical issues with the vehicle involved in the crash.
"During the accident, none of the airbags deployed. The Mercedes has 12 airbags. We are not forensic investigators, but we are asking ourselves questions. There are so many glaring gaps." He added, “All the family and we are asking for is we want closure; we want to know exactly what happened. How did he get himself to Naivasha?"
He remembered Jirongo as a unifying figure and a leader for the Mulembe community.
"Death has robbed us of a great son. He loved the Mulembe, and he wants us to remain united. His moves were threatening some people. We depended on him for so much. He has left some of us political orphans."
Former Public Service CS Moses Kuria expressed his backing for Khaniri’s call for a thorough probe.
"I want to support George Khaniri. We need to have a thorough investigation into everything that is questionable. It does not presume guilt on anyone to have a thorough investigation, and I have to buy the torch because the truth is important."
Former Attorney General Amos Wako remembered Jirongo as a committed leader for the Mulembe people.
"He was a man of great zeal, a go-getter, and very much concerned with the future of Kenya and the future of the Mulembe nation."
Eugene Wamalwa described Jirongo’s influence as transcending traditional boundaries.
"He was a political genius; he was not limited by political boundaries. He did not know any border; he did not respect the border of tribe, region, or religion. He cut a cross, and he was a politician who spoke truth to power."
