Kenyans are still struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of former Lugari Member of Parliament, Honorable Cyrus Jirongo, following a tragic road accident along the Naivasha highway.
Jirongo died after his vehicle was involved in a collision with a Climax bus that was travelling from Nairobi to Busia County.
As the country mourns, fresh revelations about his past life and political dealings have ignited intense debate, speculation, and renewed calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Since news of his passing broke, social media platforms and political forums have been awash with mixed reactions.
While many Kenyans have paid glowing tributes to Jirongo as a bold, generous, and fearless politician, others have raised questions about whether his death was purely accidental, citing Kenya’s long history of controversial deaths involving influential political figures.
Against this backdrop, a close friend and political analyst, Wafula Buke, has come forward with a detailed and deeply personal narration that paints Jirongo as a daring political operative who lived on the edge of power and danger.
In his account, Buke argues that Jirongo possessed what he describes as “credentials that qualified him for an assassin’s eye,” not necessarily as proof of foul play, but as a reflection of the risky political environment he operated in.
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Drawing parallels with the deaths of prominent leaders such as Sudan’s John Garang and reactions that followed the passing of Raila Odinga, Buke suggests that powerful political figures rarely “rest in peace,” as their deaths often reopen old battles, suspicions, and unresolved questions.
Buke recounts his first interactions with Jirongo in the early 1990s, a time when Kenya’s political landscape was tense and volatile.
According to him, Jirongo was deeply embedded in the inner workings of the state during the KANU era, privy to sensitive operations, and exposed to the brutal realities of power.
One particularly chilling story shared by Jirongo involved the alleged killing of a political operative who had failed to deliver on promises made to President Daniel arap Moi—an incident Buke says left a lasting impression on Jirongo and shaped how he navigated politics thereafter.
The narration further reveals Jirongo as a complex figure—wealthy yet restless, powerful yet increasingly disillusioned with the system he once served.
Buke claims that Jirongo frequently complained about political marginalization and betrayal within government circles, even as he quietly supported opposition activities and reformist movements.
His willingness to fund political causes across divides, including aiding struggling activists and politicians, earned him admiration but also exposed him to significant risk.
Beyond politics, the account portrays Jirongo as a man of unusual courage and generosity. Buke describes how, during his own lowest moments, Jirongo offered him substantial financial support without demanding loyalty or public acknowledgment.
This generosity, he argues, was part of Jirongo’s character—reckless to some, compassionate to others. It is a trait that many Kenyans are now revisiting as stories of his behind-the-scenes assistance to friends, activists, and even ideological opponents continue to surface.
Jirongo’s later years saw him openly align with reform movements, including Muungano wa Mageuzi, placing him at the center of confrontations that sometimes turned violent.
Buke recalls rallies disrupted by attacks and moments when political tensions nearly spiraled out of control, underscoring the dangerous terrain Jirongo chose to occupy. To supporters, this fearlessness defined his legacy; to critics, it exemplified political recklessness.
As investigations into the fatal accident continue, authorities have urged the public to remain calm and avoid speculation.
However, the personal testimony shared by Buke has added emotional weight to the national conversation, highlighting not just the manner of Jirongo’s death but the extraordinary life he lived.
Many Kenyans now see him as part of a long list of daring political actors whose lives unfolded in the shadows of power, risk, and controversy.
In the end, Cyrus Jirongo’s death has reopened broader discussions about political safety, accountability, and historical injustices in Kenya.
Whether remembered as a reformist, a political insider, or a generous benefactor, his story has clearly struck a chord. As tributes continue to pour in, one thing is certain: Cyrus Jirongo remains, even in death, a figure who has left Kenyans talking.
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