The Kenyan political scene has been shaken by the sudden and painful death of former Cabinet Minister and Lugari Member of Parliament, Cyrus Jirongo. News of his passing spread quickly on Saturday morning, leaving many Kenyans in shock and disbelief.
According to early reports, Cyrus Jirongo died following a grisly road accident that occurred in the early hours of the morning. Sources close to the matter revealed that the crash happened at around 3 am as he was driving back to his home in Lugari.
The fatal accident occurred in the Karai area of Naivasha, along the busy Nairobi–Nakuru highway. His vehicle was involved in a collision with a 45-seater passenger bus, an impact so severe that he reportedly died on the spot.
Authorities later confirmed the tragic incident. Rift Valley traffic enforcement officer Sarah Chumo stated that the vehicle carrying the former legislator rammed into the bus, sustaining massive damage. The force of the crash left little chance for survival.
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At the time of his death, Cyrus Jirongo was 64 years old. He was a well-known political figure who played an active role in Kenyan leadership during the late 1990s and early 2000s, as well as in later years.
Jirongo served as the Minister for Rural Development during the administration of Kenya’s second President, Daniel arap Moi. His tenure in Cabinet lasted from March 2002 until December of the same year, a period marked by major political transitions in the country.
Before and after his Cabinet role, he also represented Lugari Constituency in Parliament. He served as Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2002 and later returned to the House between 2007 and 2013, earning a reputation as a vocal and influential leader.
Beyond Parliament, Jirongo remained active in politics through different election cycles. In 2017, he made a bold move by vying for the presidency under the United Democratic Party, UDP. Although the bid was unsuccessful, it showed his continued ambition and belief in his political vision.
In that presidential race, Jirongo garnered about 11,000 votes. This figure represented 0.07 per cent of the total votes cast nationwide, placing him far behind the leading candidates but still securing his name in Kenya’s political history.
His last major political contest came in 2022, when he ran for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat. He contested under the UDP banner but lost the race to Orange Democratic Movement candidate Fernandes Barasa.
After that defeat, Jirongo largely maintained a low public profile. Many believed he had stepped back from frontline politics, choosing instead to observe events from a distance while focusing on private life and business interests.
However, in recent weeks, he had quietly re-emerged on the campaign trail. He publicly endorsed DAP-Kenya candidate Seth Panyako in the Malava by-elections and actively campaigned for him ahead of the mini-polls held on November 27.
News of his death triggered an outpouring of grief from leaders across the political divide. Many described him as a seasoned politician, a community pillar, and a man who remained committed to public service until his final days.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka was among the first leaders to mourn him publicly. In his message, Lusaka said, “Death has robbed us of one of our greatest sons. Rest in peace, Honourable Cyrus Jirongo.”
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General, Francis Atwoli, also expressed deep sorrow upon learning of the tragedy. He wrote, “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. We loved him, but God loved him more. May your soul rest in peace!”
These messages reflected the respect Jirongo commanded, even among those who differed with him politically. To many, he was a familiar face whose journey mirrored Kenya’s evolving democratic story.
His death has also reignited concerns over road safety on major highways, especially the Nairobi–Nakuru route, which has witnessed numerous fatal accidents over the years.
As investigations into the exact circumstances of the crash continue, Kenyans are left mourning a leader whose life ended suddenly, far from the political rallies and public debates that once defined his days.
Cyrus Jirongo leaves behind a legacy shaped by ambition, resilience, and decades of engagement in national affairs. His passing marks the end of a chapter in Kenya’s political history, one that many will remember with mixed emotions of admiration, debate, and respect.
