Cyrus Jirongo Dies In Tragic Early-Morning Crash On Nairobi–Nakuru Highway
By MKT Reporter
Former Lugari MP and veteran politician Cyrus Jirongo, 64, died early Saturday morning following a fatal road traffic accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, police have confirmed.
According to a police report, the accident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on December 13, 2025, at Karai area near Naivasha. Jirongo was alone in the Mercedes-Benz saloon car, registration number KCZ 305C, from Nakuru towards Nairobi when the vehicle reportedly failed to keep to its inner lane and collided head-on with an oncoming MAN bus, registration number KCU 576A, belonging to Climax Company.
The bus was being driven by Tiras Kamau Githinji, aged 52.
Jirongo sustained severe head injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police officers from Naivasha visited the scene and took the necessary action. His body was later removed to the Naivasha Sub-County Morgue, where it is awaiting a post-mortem examination. Both vehicles were towed to the police station and detained pending inspection as investigations continue.
Jirongo was one of Kenya’s most recognisable political figures, rising to national prominence in the early 1990s as the youthful and influential leader of Youth for KANU ’92 (YK ’92), a powerful political lobby group that played a key role during the country’s transition to multiparty politics.
Born on March 21, 1961, and educated at Mang’u High School, he quickly became known for his organisational skills, flamboyance and ability to mobilise resources and political support.
He was first elected Member of Parliament for Lugari Constituency in 1997, a seat he held until 2002, before making a comeback in 2007 and serving until 2013. In 2002, he briefly served as Minister for Rural Development under former President Daniel arap Moi. Over the years, Jirongo shifted political allegiances several times, forming and leading parties such as the Kenya African Democratic Development Union (KADDU) and later the United Democratic Party (UDP).
He also made an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2017, positioning himself as an outsider challenging the political establishment.
Outside elective politics, Jirongo was a businessman and a prominent public figure, having once served as chairman of AFC Leopards Football Club, one of the country’s most popular football teams.
His career, however, was not without controversy. In later years, he faced financial and legal troubles, including court battles that culminated in him being declared bankrupt over unpaid debts, a development that sharply contrasted with his once-powerful image in national politics.
Jirongo was also known for his outspoken nature and unconventional personal life, often publicly defending his belief in polygamy and cultural traditions.
In recent years, he endured personal tragedy, including the death of one of his daughters earlier in 2025.
News of his death has triggered an outpouring of condolences and mixed reflections from across the political divide, with allies and critics alike acknowledging his outsized influence during a defining era of Kenya’s political evolution. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash are ongoing as the country mourns the loss of one of its most colourful and controversial political actors.
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