A somber hush fell over Lumakanda on Tuesday as the mortal remains of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo were lowered into the soil, marking the final chapter for a man who once defined an era of Kenyan politics.

The United Democratic Party (UDP) leader’s sudden death following a harrowing road accident has sent shockwaves through the Western region and the national political landscape, uniting foes and friends in a rare moment of shared grief.

A Tragic Exit

Jirongo’s life was cut short in the early hours of Saturday, December 13, when his Mercedes-Benz E350 collided head-on with a Climax Company bus along the notorious Naivasha–Nakuru Highway. The crash, which occurred near the Karai area, left the vehicle—registration KCZ 305U—a mangled wreck, instantly claiming the life of the veteran politician.

While police reports indicate the accident happened around 2:19 AM, the circumstances leading up to the crash have become a flashpoint for speculation. During the burial, leaders and family members did not shy away from demanding answers.

• The Crash: A head-on collision with a passenger bus in the Karai blackspot.
• The Timeline: Jirongo was reportedly traveling alone back to Nairobi after a meeting.
• The Controversy: Leaders like former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri have raised questions about CCTV footage allegedly showing a passenger in Jirongo’s car moments before the crash—a figure who was missing from the accident scene.

"Hit Me Like a Missile"

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, a longtime friend and political contemporary, moved the mourners with a raw recounting of how he received the news. Having met Jirongo just hours before the crash for a late-night discussion in Karen, Wetang'ula described the notification of his death as a physical blow.

"It hit me like a thunderbolt. It hit me like a missile," Wetang'ula told the gathered crowd, his voice heavy with emotion. "We had just shared a meal. He was a man who valued friendship and had time for his people. To wake up and hear he is gone... it is a mystery known only to God."

United in Grief

Beyond the politics, the ceremony was a stark reminder of the personal loss suffered by Jirongo’s expansive family. The sight of his three widows—Ann Lanoi, Christine Nyokabi, and Ann Kanini—standing shoulder to shoulder drew tears from the thousands in attendance.

In a moving tribute, Ann Lanoi described the late MP not as the firebrand politician the public knew, but as a devoted patriarch. "He was loving, kind, and devoted to all his wives and his children," she said, struggling to hold back tears. "He was the glue that held us together."

As the dust settles in Lumakanda, the political vacuum left by Jirongo’s departure remains palpable. His legacy—complex, bold, and often controversial—is now sealed in history, leaving a community yearning for closure on the questions surrounding his untimely exit.