The investigation into the tragic demise of former Cabinet Minister Cyrus Jirongo has taken a sharp, unexpected turn following a startling revelation from the crash site’s periphery.

While the nation continues to mourn the 64-year-old politician, a new witness account has emerged that threatens to upend the established timeline of the fatal Saturday morning collision.

A Watchman’s Vigil

At the center of this developing storm is Ephraim Cheptek, a private security guard who was on duty at a petrol station adjacent to the Karai stretch of the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway. Speaking to reporters, Cheptek offered a version of events that sharply contradicts the statement recorded by the driver of the Climax Coach bus involved in the smash-up.

While initial reports suggested a straightforward traffic error, Cheptek’s testimony suggests a different sequence of maneuvers leading up to the 3:00 AM impact. The guard, whose vantage point gave him a clear view of the highway, has dismissed the traffic claims initially filed, compelling investigators to revisit the scene.

• The Incident: A head-on collision between Jirongo’s Mercedes-Benz and a Climax Coach bus.
• The Time: Approximately 3:00 AM, Saturday, December 13.
• The Location: Karai, Naivasha—a notorious blackspot known for claiming prominent lives.
• The Twist: Eyewitness testimony now disputes the bus driver's explanation of the crash dynamics.

The Midnight Collision

Jirongo, a former Lugari MP known for his colorful political career, died instantly at the scene. The wreckage of his German machine bore the brunt of the high-speed impact, leaving little chance for survival. For days, the narrative relied heavily on the survivors from the bus and the initial police abstract.

However, the introduction of an independent witness adds a layer of complexity to the probe. Traffic investigators in Naivasha must now triangulate the bus driver’s account against Cheptek’s observations and forensic evidence from the tarmac.

As the family prepares for burial arrangements, the pressure mounts on the National Police Service to provide a definitive answer. Was this a case of mechanical failure, human error, or something more avoidable? With the new testimony entered into the record, the file on Jirongo’s final moments is far from closed.