Family Seeks CCTV Evidence to Trace Jirongo’s Last Movements

The family of former Lugari MP and businessman Cyrus Jirongo is demanding answers about the circumstances of his death following a crash on the Nakuru–Naivasha Highway. 

As funeral arrangements proceed, questions persist regarding his final movements and the route he took before the fatal accident. At a meeting in Nairobi to organise the funeral, former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri expressed the family’s concerns, citing discrepancies in the official account of Jirongo’s journey. 

“We have several questions about how Jirongo left Karen heading to his home in Gigiri, only to die in an accident at Naivasha. We want to know what really happened,” Khaniri said. 

 confirmed that Jirongo would be buried on 30 December at his Lumakanda home in Lugari, putting an end to speculation about his final resting place.

The funeral committee, co-chaired by Khaniri and former Westlands MP Fred Gumo, is overseeing the arrangements. 

The body remains at Lee Funeral Home, where authorities have instructed that it not be embalmed or viewed until forensic examinations are completed. A post-mortem will follow once the investigation concludes.

Central to the family’s concerns is the route Jirongo took on the night of his death. According to Gumo, he left Karen around 11:30pm, supposedly en route to Gigiri, but was later found dead while driving alone near Naivasha, heading towards Nairobi. 

“That is the main concern of the family. We do not know what he was doing in Naivasha,” Gumo said, urging authorities to use surveillance footage to trace his movements. 

Khaniri echoed this, noting that Naivasha lies far off the direct route between Karen and Gigiri, making Jirongo’s detour difficult to explain. Despite the uncertainties, the family has outlined a clear funeral programme. 

The body will be taken to Jirongo’s Gigiri home on 27 December, then to Kitale the next day to stay at his second wife’s residence. The procession will continue to Lumakanda on 29 December, ahead of the burial. His widow, Ann Lanoi, described the loss as devastating, saying the family is grateful for the support they have received from friends and colleagues.

Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula recalled his willingness to assist others, often at great personal cost. Former Cabinet Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa remembered Jirongo’s leadership qualities, recalling that he was appointed a prefect while still in Form Two, a rare distinction at the time.

Former Attorney General Amos Wako highlighted Jirongo’s close ties with the late President Daniel arap Moi, recalling how he once lobbied for Wako’s appointment as Chief Justice. Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa described Jirongo as a unifying figure whose absence leaves a gap in regional politics. 

Others, including former Minister Noah Wekesa and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, emphasised his role in shaping national politics and his lasting legacy, with Wekesa revisiting the folklore that linked Jirongo to the introduction of the Sh500 note in the 1990s.