Former Lugari MP and politician Cyrus Jirongo died in a road accident on December 13, 2025, along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway in Naivasha’s Karai area. His Mercedes-Benz collided head-on with a Climax Coach bus around 3 a.m. Jirongo died at the scene.
The crash happened just outside Eagol Petrol Station. CCTV footage shows Jirongo’s car entering the station shortly after 2 a.m. He drove through without stopping to fuel, made a quick turn, and exited back onto the highway. Seconds later, the bus hit his car.
Ephraim Cheptek was the night security guard on duty at the station. He told reporters he saw everything clearly since he was the only one awake. Cheptek said Jirongo’s Mercedes came in slowly, as if to refuel, but then sped up and left without stopping. He added that the road was empty and clear before the crash. No traffic jam at all. The jam only started after the accident.
This version differs from what the Climax bus driver said. The driver claimed there was traffic heading toward Nairobi, and Jirongo was trying to overtake or avoid it when he swerved into the wrong lane.
Cheptek’s story got a lot of attention online and in the media. It raised questions about what really happened that night. Some people wondered if there was more to the accident.
Now, just days ago on Christmas, reports came out that Cheptek lost his job. His employer fired him, apparently for speaking to the media and giving interviews about what he saw. A union leader for security guards in Kenya spoke up about it. He called the firing unfair and said they might take it to court if Cheptek is not brought back.
The investigation into Jirongo’s death is still going on. Detectives from the DCI have looked at the CCTV from the petrol station. They also tracked down a white Toyota Probox that showed up right after Jirongo’s car. The people in that vehicle said they just stopped to add wiper fluid because of bad visibility. They heard the crash but left soon after. Police questioned them, but it seems they were not involved.
No charges have been filed yet. The bus had many passengers, but none died or got injured. Jirongo was alone in his car.
Jirongo was a well-known figure in Kenyan politics. He led the Youth for Kanu ’92 group back in the day and served as an MP. Many people mourned his sudden death.
The firing of Cheptek has added another layer to this story. Some see it as pressure on witnesses. Others say companies have rules about talking to the press. Either way, it keeps the accident in the news.
Police say they are following all leads to figure out exactly what caused the crash. For now, questions remain about the different accounts from the guard and the driver.
