Kenya’s Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has said preliminary findings into the death of former Lugari MP and businessman Cyrus Jirongo point to a road traffic accident, with no evidence so far of foul play, easing days of public speculation surrounding the high-profile case.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the DCI said its investigations into the incident — which occurred on the night of 13 December 2025 at Karai, along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway — indicate that the circumstances of Mr Jirongo’s death are consistent with a traffic accident. Once remaining procedures are completed, the file will be forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for further direction, including the possibility of criminal charges against the public service vehicle (PSV) driver involved.
Multi-agency probe and evidence reviewed
According to the DCI, investigators moved swiftly after the incident, deploying a multi-disciplinary team that included homicide detectives, intelligence analysts and forensic experts from the National Forensic Laboratory.
The team processed the scene, preserved physical exhibits and recovered CCTV footage from Eagol Petrol Station near the site of the incident. Officers also analysed the bus manifest and amateur video footage captured by members of the public.
Statements were recorded from key witnesses, including Mr Jirongo’s widow, Ann Lanoi Pertet, the driver and conductor of the bus involved, staff at the petrol station, and several passengers who later presented themselves to investigators. Police also questioned the driver of a second bus said to have been involved in rescue efforts.
In addition, senior political figures — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale’s close ally Rebman Malala, and businessman Ibrahim Sambuli — voluntarily recorded statements after confirming they had interacted with Mr Jirongo earlier on the evening of 12 December at Karen Oasis restaurant in Nairobi.
“Based on the evidence gathered and analysed to date, the incident appears to be a road traffic accident, with no indications of foul play,” the DCI said.
A death that stirred national debate
Mr Jirongo’s death triggered widespread debate online and in political circles, reflecting both his prominence and Kenya’s long-running public mistrust around investigations involving powerful figures.
A former MP and once a close ally of the late President Daniel arap Moi, Mr Jirongo was a significant figure in Kenya’s political and business landscape for more than three decades. He later became a vocal critic of corruption and contested the presidency in 2017, positioning himself as an outsider challenging entrenched political interests.
His death along one of Kenya’s busiest and most dangerous highways also renewed scrutiny of road safety enforcement. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya records more than 4,000 road fatalities annually, with highways linking Nairobi to the Rift Valley consistently ranking among the deadliest. Independent road safety groups have repeatedly pointed to speeding, poor vehicle maintenance and weak enforcement as persistent risks.
Call for restraint amid investigations
The DCI urged political leaders and members of the public to refrain from speculation that could undermine the integrity of the inquiry or inflame public anxiety.
“We urge restraint and ask that unsubstantiated statements be avoided,” the agency said, while encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward through police stations or the DCI’s anonymous reporting channels.
The agency also extended condolences to Mr Jirongo’s family, friends and associates, reiterating its commitment to what it described as an impartial and thorough investigation conducted in line with the law.
What happens next
With the investigation file expected to be submitted to the ODPP, attention will now shift to whether prosecutors find sufficient grounds to bring charges, particularly against the PSV driver involved in the incident. Such decisions, legal experts note, often hinge on forensic analysis, witness consistency and compliance with traffic laws.
For now, the DCI’s findings offer a measure of clarity in a case that had quickly become the subject of rumour and political commentary — while underscoring the broader challenges Kenya continues to face in road safety and public confidence in high-stakes investigations.
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