NAIROBI, Kenya- The widows of late veteran politician Cyrus Jirongo have delivered heartfelt tributes to their husband’s fairness and devotion to family during a burial ceremony at Lumakanda Township Primary School in Kakamega County, as debate continues over the circumstances surrounding his death in a road traffic accident.
Jirongo, 64, died in the early hours of 13 December 2025 when his private vehicle collided head‑on with a Climax Company Ltd passenger bus along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway near Karai in Naivasha.
Police and forensic reports describe the incident as a serious road accident involving a Mercedes Benz and a bus, and a subsequent post‑mortem confirmed that he died from blunt force trauma caused by crush injuries to his chest, abdomen and spine.
During the burial, Anne Lanoi, one of Jirongo’s widows, painted a picture of a husband who was generous and equitable in his affections and actions.
“Cyrus loved us equally; he never favoured anyone,” Lanoi said.
Anne Lanoi, widow of Cyrus Jirongo, remembers her late husband as a fair and thoughtful man who treated everyone equally during a requiem mass at Lumakanda Township Primary School in Kakamega County.Lanoi: Cyrus loved us equally; he never favoured anyone. Whenever he travelled,
She shared personal memories, saying whenever her husband travelled he would return bearing gifts, three phones, matching bags or perfumes, for his family.
“He always brought three of each. He was fair to all of us and truly made us feel special,” she said.
Another widow, Christine Nyokabi Kimani, spoke directly to their children, urging them to honour their father’s legacy through unity, hard work and mutual support.
“Your father, Cyrus Jirongo, loved you dearly and ensured you received a good education,” she said.
Christine Nyokabi Kimani, widow of Cyrus Jirongo, urges their children to honour their father, work hard, and support one another, promising to continue encouraging and cheering them on in all they do.Kimani: Your father, Cyrus Jirongo, loved you dearly and ensured you received
Kimani promised that she and the family would continue to be the children’s “greatest cheerleaders” in all their endeavours.
Jirongo’s political career spanned several decades. He first rose to national prominence in the early 1990s as leader of Youth for KANU ’92 (YK92), a lobby that supported then‑President Daniel arap Moi’s re‑election in Kenya’s first multiparty elections.
He later served multiple terms as Lugari Member of Parliament and held cabinet positions, including as Minister for Rural Development under Moi.
Family members and political allies have not only reflected on Jirongo’s personal qualities but also renewed calls for answers about the crash, including how critical safety features such as airbags behaved during the collision and why he was found driving in Naivasha late at night despite plans to return home.
Former Senator George Khaniri has publicly asked why airbags did not deploy, adding to the unsolved questions that family and community members say must be addressed before full closure.
