Wetang’ula, who was reportedly among those seen with Jirongo at City Hotel having drinks hours before the tragic accident, described the news of his friend’s passing as a devastating blow.

“Cyrus Jirongo’s death hit me like a missile,” Wetang’ula recounted during his burial in Kakamega county.

“Leo tukimzika rafiki yangu Cyrus Jirongo… I want to tell the family we have spoken to our President and he has said that after the burial, the three widows should be taken to meet and outline the profile of the challenges of our brother’s family so we can see how best we can assist.”

The Speaker recounted the events of the fateful night in detail, clarifying reports surrounding Jirongo’s last hours.

“After the Jamhuri event on December 12, 2025, I called Jirongo and asked him to meet me from 6pm onwards,” he revealed.

“At around 8:15pm, I arrived at my friend’s place, known as Malala, where we had agreed to meet. About 15 minutes later, Jirongo arrived. We then sat, three people: me, Jirongo, and General Tuwei.  I told Jirongo to do things quickly as I had lost an MP from Mombasa and had to travel,” Wetang’ula said.

He continued: “We then had a private meeting, just the two of us. I asked the other two to give us some space to talk about our matters. At about 9:30pm, I told Jirongo I was leaving. I called the two other friends to join him as l was leaving. In our meeting, we planned our issues and next steps, and I left home.”

Wetang’ula said he was blindsided by the news the next morning.

“The next morning, when I woke up at 7am to leave for Mombasa, my son came and said, ‘Sorry for the loss of your close friend Jirongo.’ The news hit me like a thunderbolt and they hit me like a Missile.  I had so many friends, but Jirongo was personal to me.”

The Speaker’s detailed account sheds light on the controversial night Jirongo lost his life in a road accident along the Nakuru–Naivasha highway, reigniting calls for clarity and accountability.

Wetang’ula’s openness also underscores the deep personal connection he shared with the late politician, highlighting the human side of the tragedy.

In sentiments during the burial, Wetang’ula reassured Kenyans and the Jirongo family that discussions with the President are ongoing to ensure the late MP’s family receives support in the wake of the devastating loss.

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Speaking during Jirongo’s burial on Tuesday in Lumakanda, Khalwale said the solemn occasion was also an opportunity for leaders to provide clarity to the public on lingering questions about the circumstances surrounding Jirongo’s fatal road accident on the Nakuru–Naivasha highway.

Addressing former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, Khalwale emphasized that Kenyans deserved transparency.

“I would like you, George, to say what happened on that evening because you said you saw Speaker Wetang’ula with the late. This is the right occasion,” he said.

Turning his remarks directly to Wetang’ula, Khalwale demanded that the Speaker shed light on his interactions with Jirongo on the fateful night.

“I want my brother, Speaker Wetang’ula, to tell us, the Waluhya people, what you discussed with Jirongo. What were you planning?” Khalwale said, drawing murmurs from the gathered mourners.

The senator’s statements reflect mounting public curiosity and concern over the final hours days of the late politician, whose sudden death has prompted calls for accountability and transparency from senior political figures.

Khalwale also sharply rebuked Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, accusing him of misleading President William Ruto.

“You lied to Ruto that Luhyas will back you in 2027, which Luhyas told you that?” Khalwale asked.

He added, “Now you want a constitutional referendum to ring-fence your own seat. Is this about your position… or the hunger biting the masses?”

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At the height of his influence, Jirongo was not only a politician but also a businessman whose name was linked to sprawling real estate projects, shopping outlets and controversial land deals.

Enterprises associated with him, including Sololo Outlets Limited and Kuza Farms & Allied Limited — pursued large‑scale housing and land developments such as Hazina Estate, Saika Estate and Kemri Estate in Nairobi, among others.

Some of these projects were celebrated initially as visionary, but later became mired in legal disputes and debt recovery efforts.

The trouble formally began when Jirongo secured a Sh700 million loan from the National Bank of Kenya using properties registered in the names of several companies owned by businessman Sammy Boit arap Kogo.

When Jirongo failed to service the debt, the bank auctioned the collateral at a public sale in 2009.

After failing to repay the agreed amount, Kogo’s companies, including Masole Ltd, Baia Enterprises, Gilera Ltd, Koti Developers, Saman Developers, Kenete Enterprises, Marimio Enterprises and Linsala Enterprises, sought legal redress.

On October 9, 2017, a Commercial Court in Nairobi ruled that Jirongo be declared bankrupt for his inability to pay the outstanding debt.

Justice Olga Sewe ordered that an official receiver be appointed to manage his estate and oversee asset liquidation to recover funds for creditors.

The bankruptcy order marked a public fall for a man once associated with wealth and political clout.

It also had political implications: Kenyan law bars individuals declared bankrupt from running for certain elective positions, potentially dimming Jirongo’s aspirations after his 2017 presidential bid.

The legal troubles did not end there. In 2017, the High Court also ordered Jirongo to pay Sh110 million to COTU Secretary‑General Francis Atwoli in a separate judgment over a “friendly loan,” further underlining the depth of his financial challenges.

By the early 2020s, many properties linked to his business ventures had either been sold at auction, put under receivership, or remained embroiled in protracted cases, while some of his assets were seized or frozen as courts continued to unwind his financial affairs.

Off the courtroom floor, Jirongo’s personal life was never far from public view.

Open about his polygamous lifestyle, he married more than 10 wives over the years, publicly celebrating the diversity of his family as symbolic of national unity.

Four of his marriages were widely recognised included widows Christine Nyokabi,Anne Kanini and Anne Lanoi, with spouses drawn from communities including Kikuyu, Kamba, Maasai and Kalenjin backgrounds.

His large family included at least eight known children, though some reports suggest even more, with offspring pursuing careers in fields such as architecture, journalism and business.

While some admired his commitment to supporting a broad extended family, others viewed his personal choices as emblematic of a larger‑than‑life persona that characterised much of his public life.

Jirongo’s journey from acclaimed business figure and political pioneer, notably in the Youth for KANU ‘92 movement, to court‑mandated bankruptcy is a story of ambition, risk‑taking, legal accountability and public fascination.

His business ventures and sprawling family life kept him in the spotlight through years of triumphs and setbacks.

As Kenya mourns his passing and family members gather in Lumakanda for his burial, the nation remembers not just a charismatic politician but a complex figure whose financial collapses and legal battles left an indelible imprint on the country’s political and economic history.

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The burial, held on December 30 at Jirongo’s rural home in Lumakanda, drew large crowds from across Lugari Constituency and neighbouring regions, with tight security in place as mourners gathered to honour a man whose political influence spanned decades.

KANU chairman Gideon Moi was among the high-profile figures present, alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya.

Others leaders present at the event are Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, as well as Members of Parliament, MCAs and senior national and county government officials.

The funeral service took place at the Lumakanda grounds, where family members, friends, community elders and political leaders paid glowing tributes to Jirongo, describing him as a bold, influential and grassroots-oriented leader who left a lasting mark on Kenyan politics.

Speakers recalled Jirongo’s time as Lugari Member of Parliament and his role as a seasoned political mobiliser whose reach cut across party lines.

Several leaders urged unity among Kenyans, saying Jirongo believed in dialogue and inclusive leadership.

Jirongo,64, a former MP for Lugari and businessman died on December 13, 2025, in a road traffic accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Karai in Naivasha, after the vehicle he was driving collided head-on with a passenger bus. He was 64.

His burial in Lumakanda marked the end of a significant chapter in the political history of western Kenya, as mourners bade farewell to a figure many described as outspoken, fearless and deeply connected to the people.

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