PS Chris Kiptoo pays tribute to Cyrus Jirongo, appeals for road safety
By Faith Lagat, December 13, 2025Principal Secretary for the National Treasury Chris Kiptoo has led national mourning following the tragic death of former Cabinet Minister and Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo, who died in a fatal road accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway.
In a message shared on X on December 13, 2025, Kiptoo expressed deep sorrow over the loss. “I have received with deep sadness the news of the passing of former Cabinet Minister and Lugari Member of Parliament, Hon. Cyrus Jirongo,” he wrote.
He added, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to his entire family, friends, and the people of Lugari during this difficult time.”
Kiptoo urges road safety vigilance
Highlighting the circumstances surrounding Jirongo’s death, Kiptoo used the moment to appeal for greater caution on Kenyan roads, especially during the busy festive season.
“As we mourn his passing following a tragic road accident, I urge all road users especially during this festive season to exercise caution and observe traffic rules,” he said. Kiptoo concluded his tribute with a prayer: “May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Jirongo, aged 64, died instantly after his Mercedes-Benz was involved in a head-on collision with a passenger bus at the Karai area in Naivasha at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025. Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, but the former legislator was pronounced dead. Several passengers aboard the bus sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Leaders pay tribute to a political heavyweight
The accident triggered an outpouring of condolences from leaders across the political divide, reflecting Jirongo’s influential role in Kenyan politics since the 1990s. President William Ruto described him as a close friend and a formidable public figure.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo,” the President said. He described Jirongo as “a relentless go-getter, a seasoned businessman, and a consummate politician who refused to be defined, let alone defeated, by life’s challenges.”
President Ruto added that Jirongo was “a fighter in every sense: blunt yet warm, bold yet approachable, enlightened and endlessly entrepreneurial,” noting that “above all, he was generous to a fault.” He concluded: “Never one to shrink from a tough stand or a grand idea, he lived on his own terms and left an indelible mark on our political landscape.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i also mourned Jirongo, describing him as bold, charismatic and instrumental in Kenya’s democratic journey.
Renewed concern over highway safety
As tributes continue to pour in, Jirongo is remembered for his trailblazing political career, business ventures and grassroots leadership in Western Kenya. His sudden death has once again brought road safety into sharp focus, with leaders urging motorists to exercise caution to prevent further loss of life on the country’s major highways.