Former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo has died in a fatal road accident in Naivasha in the early hours of Saturday, December 13, 2025.
According to Rift Valley Traffic Enforcement Officer Sarah Chumo, Jirongo was alone in his vehicle when the crash occurred at around 3:00 a.m. along the busy Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near the Karai area.
He was driving from Nakuru toward Nairobi when his car collided head-on with a Climax Coaches passenger bus.
Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Eyewitness and police reports indicate that Jirongo’s Mercedes-Benz E350 veered into the wrong lane and struck the bus, which was carrying about 65 passengers.
While the bus passengers escaped life-threatening injuries, Jirongo sustained fatal head injuries and died on impact.
His body was initially taken to the Naivasha Sub-County mortuary, with plans by family and associates to transfer it to Nairobi for further arrangements.
Cyrus Jirongo, 64, was a towering figure in Kenyan politics whose career spanned decades and cut across youth mobilisation, parliamentary representation, and national leadership.
Born on March 21, 1961, Jirongo rose to prominence in 1992 as leader of Youth for KANU ’92, a powerful political lobby that played a key role in mobilising support for President Daniel arap Moi during Kenya’s return to multiparty politics.
He later served as Member of Parliament for Lugari Constituency from 1997–2002 and 2007–2013, and briefly as Minister for Rural Development in 2002 under President Moi.
Beyond elective office, Jirongo was a seasoned businessman and influential political strategist whose influence extended across Western Kenya and the national stage.
He was also Chairman of AFC Leopards Football Club in the early 1990s, elevating his public profile beyond politics.
In recent years, he remained active in political discourse, including campaigning in the 2025 Malava Parliamentary by-election and supporting candidates in Western Kenya.
Leaders from across Kenya’s political spectrum have expressed deep sorrow at Jirongo’s untimely death
In a heartfelt statement, President William Ruto mourned his friend and former political ally
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo. Jirongo was a relentless go-getter, a seasoned businessman, and a consummate politician who refused to be defined, let alone defeated, by life’s challenges…
Above all, he was generous to a fault; always willing to give, to uplift, and to back others with his time, resources, and belief.
Never one to shrink from a tough stand or a grand idea, he lived on his own terms and left an indelible mark on our political landscape.”
The President added: “My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time. Rest in peace, my friend.”
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa described Jirongo as a valuable leader who served his community and country with dedication.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah called his death a profound national loss and extended heartfelt condolences to family and constituents.
Senator Bonny Khalwale honoured him as a brother, friend, and colleague, remembering his many contributions to Western Kenya.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and KANU Chairman Gideon Moi also paid tribute to Jirongo’s life, character, and legacy, recalling his humour, loyalty, and deep roots in his family and community.
Tributes continue to pour in from public figures and ordinary Kenyans alike as the nation processes the loss of a seasoned political veteran.
Jirongo’s passing marks the end of a chapter in Kenyan political history, from his early activism in the multiparty struggle of the 1990s to his years in parliament and beyond.
Known for his bold personality, entrepreneurial spirit, and unyielding presence in public life, his sudden death in a road accident has stunned colleagues and citizens across the country.
Funeral and memorial details are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
In the meantime, Kenyans remember a complex and influential lead
er whose life was marked by both triumphs and trials.
