Former Westlands Member of Parliament Fred Gumo has called on authorities to disclose the identities of passengers involved in the bus crash that killed former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

Speaking during a memorial service at Jirongo’s home in Kitale on Monday, December 29, 2025, Gumo urged officials to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the fatal accident.

Gumo noted inconsistencies in public accounts of the accident. He questioned why no passengers from the bus had come forward to explain what happened, stressing that most passengers were expected to be from Busia.

“Kwa maana wananchi wanauliza maswali mingi. It does not add up,” he said.

“Kuna kitu moja ambaye watu kila mara wanauliza. Ile basi ambaye iligongana na Jirongo, ilikuwa inaenda Busia. Na iligongana watu wakiwa kule..basi ikiwa inaenda Busia, 90 per cent ya wale watu lazima walikuwa Waluhya. Na hakuna ata mtu mmoja ametoka akasema alikuwa katika basi ambaye iligongana na gari ingine Naivasha.?

He added that the behaviour of passengers immediately after the collision raised questions.

“Alafu tena basi ikigongana, mimi ni muda mrefu sana sijaingia basi. Lakini napitanga kwa mabasi kama imepata accident. Basi ikigongana watu watatoka nje. Ata wale walikuwa wanataka kukojoa watakojoa saa hiyo.”

“Na hiyo basi kitambo ingine itoke Nairobi, ifike ije ibebe hawa passengers, si kuna watu katika hii basi watakuwa wameona hii accident? Na wanasema ati watu walienda, walienda na mguu! Wapi? Kwa hivyo hii maswali ndio inatusumbua. Sisi hatujui. What we just want is investigations itoke.”

Leaders demand official clarity

Concerns about the government’s silence were also raised by former Defence Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Saboti MP Caleb Amisi. Speaking on Sunday, 28 December, as Jirongo’s body arrived in Kitale, both leaders called for an official statement on the circumstances surrounding his death.

Amisi said the region was mourning amid unanswered questions and demanded clarity from the authorities before burial arrangements continued.

“We are burying our brother amidst mystery surrounding his death,” Amisi said. He faulted the lack of information from the Ministry of Interior or the presidency, despite Jirongo’s national stature.

Wamalwa echoed these concerns, asking whether Jirongo’s death was a normal accident or involved foul play. He said President William Ruto, who worked closely with Jirongo in the past, should address the nation. Wamalwa highlighted historical parallels, noting that Jirongo’s predecessor in political leadership had also died in a road accident.

Tensions also emerged around burial rites. Gumo, who chairs the funeral committee, rejected proposals by Tiriki elders to conduct traditional rituals, insisting that Jirongo’s immediate family should decide how the burial is conducted. He warned against imposing unfamiliar customs in the absence of a clear official explanation for the death.

Jirongo, a former political broker and businessman, died in a road accident along the Nakuru–Naivasha highway. His death has drawn national attention, with leaders across the political divide calling for transparency as burial preparations continue.