Petrol Station Attendant Reveals Fatal Error That Led to Cyrus Jirongo’s Death
A petrol station attendant has revealed the crucial mistake allegedly made by former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo moments before he was killed in a devastating early-morning road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
Mr Jirongo, 64, died on the spot following a head-on collision involving his white Mercedes-Benz and a passenger bus belonging to Climax Company near Eagol Petrol Station in Karai, Naivasha, at around 2.15am on Saturday, police confirmed.
According to the attendant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Mr Jirongo drove into the petrol station while heading towards Nairobi before rejoining the highway on the wrong side of the road, placing him directly in the path of oncoming traffic.
“He entered the petrol station as if he wanted to fuel, but when he left, he joined the highway and continued driving in the lane used by vehicles coming from Nairobi towards Nakuru,” the attendant said.
Moments later, a loud crash was heard.
“There was a very loud bang. That is when we realised he had collided head-on with a bus,” the attendant added.
The Climax Company bus was travelling from Nairobi towards Nakuru and was carrying 65 passengers at the time of the collision. Its driver, Tirus Kamau Githinji, said there had been a slight traffic buildup shortly before the crash.
Mr Kamau, who has more than eight years’ experience as a commercial driver, claimed the Mercedes-Benz veered into his lane as it attempted to overtake another vehicle.
“He did not give way. He was overtaking, and that is when the collision occurred. I later learnt it was a former MP,” Mr Kamau said.
The petrol station attendant said the impact dragged the Mercedes-Benz several metres from the point of collision before the bus eventually came to a stop.
“I rushed to the vehicle and tried to open the door, but it was locked. When I looked inside, I saw the driver slumped over the steering wheel,” he said.
The attendant said he immediately contacted emergency services at around 2.37am and attempted to stop passing vehicles for assistance. Despite the efforts, Mr Jirongo was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police later issued an official statement confirming the cause of the accident.
“The driver of motor vehicle KCZ 305C, a Mercedes-Benz, failed to keep to his lane and collided head-on with an oncoming bus, registration KCU 576A,” the report stated, adding that Mr Jirongo “sustained fatal injuries and died on the spot”.
Rift Valley Regional Traffic Commander Sara Chumo confirmed the details and said investigations were ongoing.
Mr Jirongo’s body was taken to Naivasha Sub-County Hospital mortuary before being transferred to Lee Funeral Home, while both vehicles were towed to Naivasha Police Station pending inspection.
Police cordoned off the wreckage, with homicide detectives expected to take over part of the investigation amid reports that officers were checking whether the former MP had been carrying a firearm at the time of the accident.
Cyrus Jirongo was a well-known and often controversial figure in Kenyan politics. He rose to national prominence in the early 1990s as the leader of the Youth for Kanu ’92 (YK92) movement, which played a key role in mobilising support for former President Daniel arap Moi.
He later served two terms as Lugari MP and briefly held a Cabinet position as Minister for Rural Development during the final months of the Moi administration in 2002.
Mr Jirongo also harboured presidential ambitions and contested the 2017 General Election, though he finished far behind the leading candidates.
Police say inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash are continuing.
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Petrol Station Attendant Reveals Fatal Error That Led to Cyrus Jirongo’s Death