President William Ruto has led the nation in mourning the sudden death of former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo, who died in a tragic road accident in Nakuru County.
The accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 13, 2025, in the Karai area of Naivasha. According to Rift Valley Traffic Enforcement Officer Sarah Chumo, Jirongo was driving alone to his home in Lugari, Kakamega when his vehicle collided head-on with a Climax Coach bus around 3:00 a.m.
Reports indicate that Jirongo had earlier attended a meeting with western leaders in Karen, Nairobi, before embarking on his journey. Witnesses said his car was badly damaged in the crash.
President Ruto described Jirongo as a determined politician, successful businessman, and generous leader. “He was a fighter in every sense: bold yet approachable, enlightened, and endlessly entrepreneurial,” Ruto said. “Above all, he was generous to a fault; always willing to give, uplift, and support others.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also mourned Jirongo, praising his dedication to his Lugari constituents. “I pass my deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and the people of Lugari and Western Kenya,” Gachagua said.
Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka remembered Jirongo as a bold and charismatic leader who contributed significantly to Kenya’s political life. “May God grant his family strength and comfort during this difficult time, and may his soul rest in peace,” Musyoka said.
COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli also expressed his sorrow: “We loved him, but God loved him more.”
Jirongo, a businessman-turned-politician, served as Lugari MP and was known for his influence in national politics and development initiatives in Western Kenya. Police have launched investigations to determine the circumstances of the crash.
Cyrus Shakhalaga Khwa Jirongo was born on March 21, 1961, and attended Mang’u High School from 1978 to 1981. He rose to national prominence in 1992 as leader of Youth for KANU 92, a political lobby group supporting President Daniel arap Moi.
He served as chairman of AFC Leopards Football Club in 1991 and pursued several business ventures in real estate and agriculture, though many later faced financial challenges.
Jirongo was first elected Lugari MP in 1997 and served as Minister for Rural Development under President Moi. He lost and regained his parliamentary seat several times and later ran unsuccessfully for the presidency and Kakamega Senate. His party, the United Democratic Party, joined the Azimio la Umoja coalition ahead of the 2022 elections, after which he congratulated President Ruto.
Jirongo faced financial difficulties in later years, including bankruptcy declared by the High Court in 2017 over unpaid loans amounting to hundreds of millions of shillings. Properties linked to him were placed under receivership or auctioned, and courts ordered repayment to creditors, including trade unionist Francis Atwoli.
He was polygamous and had a large family. In 2025, he suffered a personal tragedy following the death of one of his daughters after a short illness.
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