Widows of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo (from left) Christine Nyokabi, Anne Kanini and Anne Lanoi during a funeral meeting at the family home in Gigiri, Nairobi on December 14, 2025.
The mystery surrounding the death of politician and businessman Cyrus Jirongo has deepened, with family, friends and political allies calling for thorough investigations into the circumstances of his passing, which they say do not add up.
As funeral preparations begin, lingering questions over Jirongo’s final movements dominated a meeting of family members and leaders who expressed concern over gaps in the official account of the fatal road accident along the Nakuru–Naivasha Highway.
Speaking after the formation of the funeral committee on Sunday, former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri said the family wants clear answers from investigative agencies.
“I am like a brother and close friend to Jirongo. We have several questions about how Jirongo left Karen heading to his home in Gigiri, only to die in an accident at Naivasha. We want to know what really happened,” Mr Khaniri said.
He said that, after consultations with the family, it has been decided Jirongo will be buried on December 30, 2025, at his Lumakanda home in Lugari, next to his parents’ graves — a decision that resolved questions over which of his many homes would be his final resting place.
Former Westlands MP Fred Gumo addresses journalists during a funeral meeting of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo at the late politician's home in Gigiri, Nairobi on December 14, 2025.
The funeral committee will be co-chaired by former Westlands MP Fred Gumo and Mr Khaniri, with John Nyongesa and Kwamchetsi Makokha serving as joint secretaries. Other members include family, relatives, and close friends. Currently, Jirongo’s body is at Lee Funeral Home.
Mr Khaniri revealed that government investigative agencies have directed that the body should neither be viewed nor embalmed until ongoing forensic investigations are completed.
“We were informed that nobody can view the body or embalm it until investigations are complete. A forensic investigation is currently underway. The investigating officer told us they anticipate completion by tomorrow (Monday), after which a post-mortem will be conducted in consultation with the family,” he said.
Mourners arrive at the home of former Lugari MP the late Cyrus Jirongo in Gigiri, Nairobi for a funeral meeting on December 14, 2025.
The circumstances leading to Jirongo’s death have unsettled the family and his associates.
According to Mr Gumo, Jirongo left Karen, Nairobi, around 11:30pm, reportedly heading home to Gigiri, but was later found dead while driving alone from Naivasha towards Nairobi.
“That is the main concern of the family. Jirongo left Karen late at night, going home to Gigiri, but he was found dead while travelling from Naivasha to Nairobi. We do not know what he was doing in Naivasha,” he said.
He said that the family is not making accusations but wants clarity.
“It was at night, between 11:30pm and 3am. He was alone, and there were no eyewitnesses. But there are cameras everywhere these days. The authorities should be able to tell us when his car left Karen, when it went to Naivasha and when it turned back towards Nairobi,” he said.
The wreckage of the Mercedes Benz that former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo was driving before a road crash that claimed his life on the Nakuru-Nairobi highway on December 13, 2025.
Mr Khaniri echoed the concerns, noting that the route taken by Jirongo raises troubling questions.
“The mystery we want unraveled is how our friend and brother was in Karen at that late hour, left to come home in Gigiri, yet found himself in Naivasha. Naivasha is not between Karen and Gigiri. That mystery must be unraveled. Only the government can answer those questions,” he said.
As investigations continue, the family has released details of the funeral programme. Jirongo’s elder brother, Alfayo Shimbira, said the body will be transferred from Lee Funeral Home to Jirongo’s Gigiri home on December 27, where it will spend the night.
On December 28, the cortege will travel to Kitale and stay overnight at his second wife’s home before proceeding to Lumakanda in Lugari on December 29, ahead of the burial the following day.
Jirongo’s widow, Ann Lanoi, described the loss as devastating.
“We are gutted. The death came so suddenly, and the loss is heavy for the family,” she said. “As much as we feel the pain, we are comforted by the love and support people are showing us. It will be very heavy for us without his support.”
Widows of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo (from left) Christine Nyokabi, Anne Kanini and Anne Lanoi during a funeral meeting at the family home in Gigiri, Nairobi on December 14, 2025.
Leaders from across the political divide have continued to visit the family home to pay tribute to a man remembered for his generosity and influence.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who visited the family’s Gigiri home, described Jirongo as a selfless leader who often went out of his way to help others.
“Cyrus Jirongo was so generous. He would even use his properties to borrow money to help somebody and then struggle with loan repayments himself,” he said.
Former Cabinet Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa recalled Jirongo’s early leadership traits, dating back to their school days.
“I was two years ahead of him in high school, but he was so unique that he was made a prefect while still in Form Two. That was extremely rare in those days. You had to be exceptional, and Jirongo was,” Mr Kirwa said.
Former Attorney General Amos Wako described Jirongo as one of the late President Daniel arap Moi’s closest confidants, recounting how he once championed Wako for the role of Chief Justice.
“Barely a year after I became Attorney General, Jirongo walked into my office and told me he wanted me to be Chief Justice and that he had already convinced Mzee Moi. He believed in people and their abilities,” Mr Wako said.
Former Attorney General Amos Wako attends a funeral meeting of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo at the late politician's home in Gigiri, Nairobi on December 14, 2025.
Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa said the region had lost a generous and unifying figure.
“We are still in shock. Cyrus Jirongo was always there for us, and now it is our time to be there for him and his family,” Wamalwa said.
Former Minister Noah Wekesa recalled how Jirongo supported his political journey financially, while also revisiting folklore linking Jirongo to the introduction of the Sh500 note in the 1990s, which many Kenyans nicknamed after him.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya described Jirongo as a towering figure in national politics whose death had robbed the country of a dedicated public servant.
Additional reporting by Evans Jaola
