Driver Claims Jirongo Swerved Into His Lane to Avoid Traffic, Causing Head-On Collision

The driver of a Climax Coach bus involved in the fatal road accident that claimed the life of former Lugari MP and Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo has given a detailed account of the moments leading up to the crash, saying he was forced to make a split-second decision to protect dozens of passengers under his care.

The accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 13, 2025, along the busy Nakuru–Naivasha Highway, a stretch notorious for heavy traffic and frequent road accidents, especially at night and during early morning hours.

Kamau Githinji, a seasoned Climax Coach driver with eight years of experience, said he was driving from Nairobi to Busia with 65 passengers on board when the collision occurred at around 3am.

“I was coming from Nairobi heading to Busia when the accident happened early in the morning,” Githinji told reporters. “It was a head-on collision between my bus and a Mercedes-Benz.”

According to Githinji, the Mercedes-Benz, which police later confirmed was being driven by Jirongo, suddenly entered the highway from a petrol station without giving way.

He said the situation quickly escalated when the former MP encountered traffic congestion on his side of the road.

“He joined the highway, then noticed traffic had built up on his side. He decided to come onto my lane and that is how we met head-on,” Githinji recounted in Kiswahili.

The bus driver said he briefly considered swerving to avoid the impact but realised doing so would have put the lives of his passengers at grave risk.

“I tried to save the situation, but I felt the bus could lose control or overturn. If I had swerved, it would have been tragic on my side,” he said, adding that he maintained his lane as the Mercedes veered directly towards him.

Githinji noted that while the bus was carrying 65 passengers, the Mercedes-Benz had only one occupant — the driver.

Climax bus driver Kamau Githinji recounted the moment leading to the fatal accident, which claimed former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo on December 13, 2025/HANDOUT

The impact left the luxury vehicle extensively damaged. Police said Jirongo sustained severe head injuries and died on the spot. None of the bus passengers suffered fatal injuries, though several were treated for shock and minor injuries.

Githinji said he only learned of the identity of the Mercedes-Benz driver after police officers arrived at the scene.

“I did not know it was Cyrus Jirongo until the police came and told me,” he said, offering his condolences to the family. “My condolences to his loved ones.”

Police have launched investigations into the crash, with officers from the traffic department examining CCTV footage from nearby petrol stations, skid marks, and vehicle damage to reconstruct the sequence of events. A full accident report is expected after completion of the probe.

Jirongo, 64, was a prominent and controversial figure in Kenyan politics, having served as Lugari MP and later as a Cabinet minister. His death has triggered an outpouring of condolences from political leaders, trade unionists and members of the public, many of whom have described him as bold, influential and outspoken.

The tragedy has once again renewed calls for stricter enforcement of traffic rules on major highways, particularly regarding safe entry from petrol stations and service lanes, as authorities continue to grapple with rising cases of fatal road accidents across the country.

The car driven by former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo during the fatal accident on December 13, 2025/HANDOUT