Jirongo died in a fatal crash along the Nairobi–Naivasha highway near Karai, an incident that has continued to spark public debate and calls for a deeper investigation.
As mourners come to terms with his sudden death, close allies have begun speaking openly about his movements on the night he died.
One of them is Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, a longtime friend of the late politician, who has given a detailed account of Jirongo’s final moments in Nairobi.
Last Seen at Karen Oasis Hotel
According to Khaniri, he spotted Jirongo earlier that evening at Oasis Karen Hotel, where he appeared to be in a private meeting with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, who owns the hotel.
The meeting also included another individual Khaniri did not recognize.
The senator said he noticed the two leaders seated together from a distance but did not interrupt them because he was rushing to attend another engagement.
“I saw him seated with Speaker Wetang’ula, but I didn’t stop to greet them since I was heading elsewhere,” Khaniri explained.
Later that night, at around 11 pm, Khaniri spoke to Jirongo on the phone and advised him to call it a night and head home. The two had reportedly planned to meet again the following day.
What Were They Discussing?
During that phone conversation, Jirongo reportedly explained that the meeting with Wetang’ula was business-related.
He told Khaniri that he was seeking an introduction to a parliament-affiliated sacco, with the aim of exploring a possible partnership.
“He told me the speaker was helping him link up with the right people in one of the parliamentary saccos so he could pursue a business idea,” Khaniri said.
This revelation has raised public interest, especially given the timing of the meeting just hours before the fatal crash.
Jirongo later left Nairobi, heading towards Naivasha. He was driving a Mercedes-Benz when the accident occurred.
According to the driver of a Climax bus involved in the crash, Jirongo’s vehicle allegedly veered into the bus’s lane while overtaking, resulting in a head-on collision that the bus driver says was unavoidable.
However, the account has not silenced questions from the public or Jirongo’s family, who are calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Khaniri also addressed rumours suggesting that alcohol may have played a role in the accident.
He dismissed the claims, saying Jirongo was careful about driving and avoided getting behind the wheel when intoxicated.
He explained that Jirongo often preferred to drive himself in the evenings after releasing his driver as early as 6 pm.
“Almost all his evening movements, he drove himself. But he was very clear about not driving when drunk,” Khaniri stated.
The senator, who helped retrieve Jirongo’s body from the accident scene, described the injuries he observed.
He said both legs were severely broken at the ankles, one hand was fractured, and there were minor facial scratches, including marks on the chin and above the eye.
“The injuries on the face were small and could not have caused death,” he said, adding that the body was sealed at Lee Funeral Home, with only the face left visible.
Khaniri has urged the government to investigate the crash thoroughly, saying unanswered questions remain.
He also appealed for compensation over land linked to Jirongo, noting that the funds would help support his children who are still in school.
Meanwhile, Luhya elders have called for Jirongo to be accorded a state burial, citing his role in uniting the community and contributing to development in Western Kenya.
Jirongo is set to be laid to rest on Tuesday, December 30, at his home in Lumakanda, Kakamega County, as burial preparations continue.
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