Boni Khalwale has raised sharp questions about the death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo during events leading up to the burial in Lumakanda, Kakamega County.
The senator pointed fingers at National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, asking what they discussed when seen together with Jirongo before President William Ruto’s time in office.
Jirongo died in a road accident on December 13, 2025, along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway near Naivasha. His Mercedes collided head-on with a bus around 3 am.
He was alone in the car, heading home after meetings in Nairobi. Police and DCI investigations ruled out foul play by late December. Autopsy showed blunt force trauma as the cause.
Khalwale spoke out during mourning periods. He recalled times when Wetangula and Jirongo shared office space on the same floor.
“Before Ruto fired me, our offices were close. I saw you going in with Jirongo, talking a lot. Tell us what it was about,” he said in public remarks.
He went further with a local analogy. Khalwale asked if a Luhya would be allowed to mine gold found in Sugoi, Ruto’s home area in Uasin Gishu.
“You think if gold is discovered there, we’d go take it? Then why does Ruto come for ours?” It touched on recent big gold finds in Kakamega and western Kenya, worth billions.
Khalwale also hit at police response. He compared it to the quick action after Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot and killed in Nairobi in April 2025. Gunmen on a motorbike targeted him. Investigations led to arrests. “The speed you showed then is gone now. No updates on Jirongo,” Khalwale said.
He pushed Wetangula to explain meetings with Jirongo. “Either business or politics killed him. Tell us what you planned.”
Wetangula met Jirongo hours before the crash on Jamhuri Day eve. They talked at a Karen restaurant. The speaker called it a normal chat among old friends. Later, he urged leaders not to politicise the death. He asked for respect during mourning.
Khalwale brought traditional elements too. At Jirongo’s home on December 29, he arrived with a lit torch and spear. In some Luhya customs, a torch in the grave helps the spirit seek justice for unnatural deaths.
He invoked Jirongo’s name but did not place it in the coffin. It sparked talk online and in the media.
Jirongo’s burial happened on December 30 in Lumakanda. Family chose the spot next to his parents. Leaders from different sides attended. President Ruto mourned him as a bold politician and friend.
DCI updates said CCTV and witness statements showed no chase or foul play. A Probox seen nearby belonged to a family picking someone up from the airport. They stopped at the same petrol station by chance.
Suspicion lingers in western Kenya. Many see patterns in sudden deaths of outspoken figures. Jirongo had business deals and political history across parties.
Wetangula focused on unity in his visits. He described Jirongo as a bridge-builder in Luhya politics.
Police closed the file as an accident. The family accepted the findings but asked for privacy.
Khalwale’s words highlight tensions. Old ties mix with current rivalries. Gold discoveries add to talks about resources in the region.
As the year ends, Jirongo’s passing closes a chapter. He rose in the 1990s with Youth for Kanu ’92. Ran for president once. Stayed active till the end.
Mourners remember his energy. Questions from Khalwale echo for some. Investigations say it was just a tragic crash on a busy road.
Kenya sees many such accidents during holidays. Calls grow for better safety. This one hit close for political circles in the west. Life moves on in Lumakanda. Family heals. Leaders watch words around grief.
