Fresh controversy has emerged over the death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo after burial committee co-chair George Khaniri revealed what he observed on the politician’s body, which he says raised doubts about the official account that Jirongo died in a road accident.
Speaking during Jirongo’s memorial events, Khaniri said the condition of the body did not match the extent of damage seen on the wrecked Mercedes-Benz involved in the fatal crash along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.
According to him, the body had no visible external injuries, a detail he believes is inconsistent with a high-impact collision that left the vehicle extensively damaged.
“What we saw raised serious questions. The car was badly wrecked, but the body had no visible external injuries,” Khaniri said, adding that the observation convinced him that crucial questions about Jirongo’s death remain unanswered.
Jirongo died on December 13, 2025, after his vehicle collided head-on with a passenger bus near Karai in Naivasha at around 3am.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has since ruled out foul play, stating that findings so far point to a tragic traffic accident. Homicide detectives have also recommended a public inquest to address lingering public concerns.
DCI Director Mohammed Amin has maintained that investigators interviewed more than 20 people, including the bus driver, a tout, a bus passenger, petrol station attendants, and occupants of a white Probox vehicle captured on CCTV near the scene. Police ruled out any link between the Probox occupants and Jirongo.
Despite these findings, leaders from Western Kenya have continued to question the official narrative, calling for further forensic scrutiny.
Khaniri said private investigators hired by the family had identified gaps in the investigation and called for the release of all forensic and CCTV evidence to the public.
The controversy has fuelled cultural and political tensions ahead of Jirongo’s burial, with elders pushing for traditional Tiriki rituals, including burial with a torch, to symbolically seek the truth behind his death.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has urged restraint, saying speculation could undermine ongoing forensic processes.
As calls for transparency intensify, the proposed public inquest is expected to play a critical role in determining whether all questions surrounding Jirongo’s death have been conclusively addressed.
