Nairobi, Kenya- A postmortem examination has confirmed that the late former Cabinet minister and businessman Cyrus Jirongo died from severe crush injuries to the chest following a road accident in Naivasha last week.
Government pathologist Johansen Oduor, working alongside pathologists appointed by the family, revealed the findings on Wednesday, December 17, while addressing the media at Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi.
According to the pathology report, Jirongo sustained fatal blunt force trauma that caused extensive damage to vital organs. The most severe injuries were concentrated in the chest area, including a perforated heart, which pathologists identified as the immediate cause of death.
The examination further revealed multiple fractures across the body. Jirongo suffered two fractures on his right hand, fractures on both lower limbs, and multiple broken ribs.
Pathologists also noted significant bleeding into the chest cavity, with the crush injuries extending into the abdominal region.
“There were multiple rib fractures, perforation of the heart, extensive chest injuries, bleeding in the chest cavity, and crush injuries extending into the abdomen,” the report stated.
Family physician Dr Martin Wanyoike said the injuries were unsurvivable, stressing that the damage to the heart alone was enough to cause instant death.
“As a heart doctor, I witnessed very severe injury to the heart. These injuries are not compatible with life. We are sincerely sorry to the family,” Wanyoike said.
Meanwhile, detectives continue to piece together the events leading up to the crash. On Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed it had obtained CCTV footage from a petrol station near the scene of the accident. The driver of the Climax Company Ltd bus involved in the collision has also been re-summoned for further questioning.
According to investigators, the footage shows Jirongo entering the petrol station from the Nairobi direction at 2:18:40am on December 13, without refuelling.
He stopped briefly at the exit before making a right turn to head back towards Nairobi. Moments later, at 2:19:25am, a PSV bus rammed into his vehicle.
The impact pushed Jirongo’s car approximately 25 metres from the point of collision, while the bus came to a stop about 50 metres away.
Detectives are also reviewing Jirongo’s movements earlier that night, including recording statements from individuals he interacted with at Karen Oasis Bar and Restaurant in Nairobi, as investigations into the fatal crash continue.
