National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has found himself at the center of a macabre political storm, recording a statement with the DCI as rumors of a traditional "torch ritual" swirl around the sudden death of veteran politician Cyrus Jirongo.

Jirongo, a former cabinet minister and one-time kingmaker, died in a grisly road accident on the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in December 2025. While police maintain it was a tragic crash, whispers of assassination have refused to die, fueled by leaders from the Western region who are demanding answers.

The "Lit Torch" Ultimatum

The saga took a supernatural turn when elders from Jirongo’s Tiriki community threatened to bury him with a "lit torch"—a traditional curse believed to hunt down killers. "If the torch goes out, the killer dies," warned Saboti MP Caleb Amisi. Now, social media is abuzz with claims that the "torch is working," casting a shadow over the Speaker.

• The Last Meeting: Wetang'ula revealed he was one of the last people to see Jirongo alive. They met for an hour on Jamhuri Day evening, a meeting the Speaker described as "ordinary" but which detectives are now scrutinizing for clues.
• The Probe: Wetang'ula is among 28 individuals questioned by the DCI. Detectives are reconstructing Jirongo’s final 24 hours to rule out foul play.
• The Politicization: The Speaker has warned against politicizing the death, pleading with leaders to respect the family. "I don't want to be cheered or jeered. This death touches me personally," he told mourners.

A Region on Edge

The death has reopened old wounds in Western Kenya politics, with factions trading accusations. The DCI’s investigation is now a race against time to provide a scientific explanation before the narrative of "witchcraft and assassination" takes permanent root.

For Wetang'ula, the third most powerful man in the country, the ghost of his longtime friend—and the glowing embers of the Tiriki torch—pose a unique and unsettling challenge.