Cyrus Jirongo Dies

Naivasha, Kenya, December 13, 2025 — Former Lugari MP and Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo has died following a tragic road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway. He was 64.

Jirongo lost his life early Saturday morning after his vehicle a Mercedes Benz was involved in a head-on collision with a 45-seater Climax Coaches bus near Karai, Naivasha. The crash occurred at about 3am.

Rift Valley traffic boss Sarah Chumo confirmed that Jirongo died on the spot. The bus driver and several passengers sustained injuries and were taken to hospital, though none were life-threatening. Other passengers escaped unharmed.

The crash scene was devastating, with both vehicles badly mangled, pointing to the force of the impact. Police said investigations are ongoing, with preliminary indications suggesting excessive speed and poor visibility due to heavy morning fog may have contributed to the accident.

Jirongo was one of Kenya’s most outspoken and recognisable political figures, a man who thrived in controversy and commanded attention wherever he went. He rose to national prominence in the 1990s as the chairman of Youth for KANU ’92, a powerful outfit that played a key role in President Daniel arap Moi’s re-election campaign.

He was elected Lugari MP in 1997 and later appointed a Cabinet minister in Moi’s final administration. After losing his seat, he made a comeback in 2007, later running for president in 2017 and for Kakamega governor in 2022. Even outside elective politics, Jirongo remained an active and vocal player in national debates.

In recent years, he reinvented himself as a digital commentator through his YouTube show Savage Politics, where he dissected current affairs with trademark bravado, humour and blunt honesty. Just hours before his death, he had shared videos online, appearing relaxed and in good spirits.

Tributes have poured in from across the political divide. President William Ruto, who has previously described Jirongo as a former mentor, joined politicians, journalists and ordinary Kenyans in mourning the outspoken leader, fondly known as “Shakhalaga”.

His death comes months after the loss of his daughter, Lorraine, a tragedy he bore publicly with a mix of grief and humour that endeared him to many. At her funeral, he drew laughter through tears with his candid and human remarks, a reflection of the personality Kenyans came to know.

Jirongo is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren. The family is yet to issue an official statement, but preparations are expected for a high-profile send-off befitting his stature.

Once again, Kenya’s roads have claimed a prominent life, a sobering reminder of how suddenly tragedy can strike.

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