The 2 am accident occurred when the Mercedes-Benz he was traveling in collided head-on with a Climax Coaches bus in Naivasha.
While authorities have classified the incident as a road accident, a section of Kenyans, especially from Jirongo’s community, remain convinced that there is more to the story.
Investigators are still piecing together Jirongo’s final moments. Conflicting statements have emerged from the bus driver, a security guard at a petrol station moments before the crash, and the bus company itself.
Notably, none of the passengers aboard the Climax Coaches bus have publicly spoken about the incident, further fueling public speculation.
Amid the debates, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi reignited discussion over traditional rites, advocating that Jirongo should be buried according to Tiriki customs.
The proposed ritual involves placing a lit torch on the grave, with the belief that when the torch extinguishes, those responsible for the death will face a similar fate.
“Jirongo azikwe na torch. Ikizima izime na mtu. Shida iko wapi? Why are some people afraid of this torch? Infact I will come with my own torch! Kenya needs a renaissance,” Amisi wrote on his X account.
Amisi’s statement highlights the enduring respect for cultural practices in Kenya, where traditional rites often complement modern procedures in honoring the dead.
Some community members believe that such rituals can uncover hidden truths and hold wrongdoers accountable.
The call for a torch ritual has stirred debate, with some Kenyans fearing the symbolic implications, while others see it as a legitimate cultural observance.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who visited Jirongo’s Lumakanda home to condole with the family, urged restraint.
He cautioned against politicizing the tragedy and emphasized the importance of respecting the grieving family.
“I was among the last to meet Jirongo before his fatal road accident in Naivasha. Our friendship spanned over three decades, beginning in 1988 during my days as a practicing lawyer,” Wetang’ula said, recounting the shock of learning about Jirongo’s death the following morning.
The Speaker explained that his visit aligned with African traditions, which call for leaders and community members to stand with grieving families early, particularly to support widows and children who bear the brunt of loss.
He also eulogized Jirongo as a generous and kind man who often helped others even when he had little.
“People can laugh, clap, and tell stories, but it is the family that carries the real pain,” Wetang’ula said, emphasizing empathy over speculation.
Several leaders, including Roots Party leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah and Siaya Governor James Orengo, joined Wetang’ula in visiting Jirongo’s home.
Wajackoyah raised questions about a white Toyota Probox captured on CCTV entering a Naivasha petrol station shortly after Jirongo’s vehicle, seeking clarity on the bus passengers’ whereabouts.
“The said 65 passengers who were in that bus, where did they go?” he asked, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the events leading to the crash.
Orengo, who once served as Jirongo’s lawyer, claimed the former MP was a target of persistent state scrutiny.
“I was among the last to meet Jirongo before his fatal road accident in Naivasha. Our friendship spanned over three decades, beginning in 1988 during my days as a practicing lawyer,” Wetang’ula said, recounting the shock of learning about Jirongo’s death the following morning.
The Speaker explained that his visit aligned with African traditions, which call for leaders and community members to stand with grieving families early, particularly to support widows and children who bear the brunt of loss.
He also eulogized Jirongo as a generous and kind man who often helped others even when he had little.
“People can laugh, clap, and tell stories, but it is the family that carries the real pain,” Wetang’ula said, emphasizing empathy over speculation.
Several leaders, including Roots Party leader George Luchiri Wajackoyah and Siaya Governor James Orengo, joined Wetang’ula in visiting Jirongo’s home.
Wajackoyah raised questions about a white Toyota Probox captured on CCTV entering a Naivasha petrol station shortly after Jirongo’s vehicle, seeking clarity on the bus passengers’ whereabouts.
“The said 65 passengers who were in that bus, where did they go?” he asked, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding the events leading to the crash.
He argued that Jirongo’s influence in politics, coupled with his generosity, made him a significant figure whose support could alter political dynamics.
“They knew Jirongo was a good politician. If he threw his weight behind any political party, it would become bad for the government. He was really persecuted,” Orengo said, adding that the circumstances of Jirongo’s death deserved thorough examination.
Jirongo’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, also confirmed that the former MP had been planning to file a legal case days before his death.
Omari urged Kenyans to avoid speculation and political commentary, calling for respect toward the grieving family while investigations continue.
“They knew Jirongo was a good politician. If he threw his weight behind any political party, it would become bad for the government. He was really persecuted,” Orengo said, adding that the circumstances of Jirongo’s death deserved thorough examination.
Jirongo’s lawyer, Danstan Omari, also confirmed that the former MP had been planning to file a legal case days before his death.
Omari urged Kenyans to avoid speculation and political commentary, calling for respect toward the grieving family while investigations continue.
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