New details have emerged regarding the tragic death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, revealing that the Mercedes Benz he was driving during the fatal crash on the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway was not registered in his name.
The luxury vehicle, which collided with a Busia-bound Climax bus at Karai—a notorious accident blackspot—was owned by Smart Cars Limited, an import company based in Nairobi, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, December 13, 2025. Surveillance footage from the Eagol fuel station near the crash site captured the Mercedes Benz, registration number KCZ 350C, entering the station from Nairobi at 2:18 a.m., passing the fuel pumps without stopping, and attempting to merge back onto the highway.
Moments later, a speeding Climax bus traveling in the opposite direction collided with the vehicle, leaving Jirongo dead at the scene.
First responders recounted the chaotic aftermath of the crash. Peter Kamau, a local motorcycle mechanic and witness, said he rushed to the scene after hearing the loud collision.
He and nine others attempted to rescue Jirongo, but the car doors were jammed, forcing them to break in with an axe. Inside the vehicle, Kamau found Jirongo slumped over the steering wheel.
A half-finished bottle of alcohol and a packet of cigarettes were also discovered in the car, though authorities have not confirmed whether these contributed to the crash.
Kamau further explained that more than 40 bus passengers alighted and remained at the scene for about ten minutes, many recording videos and taking photos. Traffic soon built up on the Nairobi-bound lane, compounding the chaos in the early hours.
The Mercedes Benz had been associated with Jirongo previously. In December 2020, he was publicly linked to the vehicle following another accident in Nairobi that injured a boda boda rider.
While NTSA records do not list him as the owner, his use of the car reignited questions about his prior connection with luxury vehicles and road safety compliance.
Authorities are continuing investigations to determine the exact cause of the crash, though the Karai stretch of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway has long been considered a high-risk area for accidents. Speeding, driver fatigue, and hazardous road conditions are among factors frequently cited in traffic incidents there.
Following the crash, the Climax bus came to a halt approximately 50 meters from the point of impact, and authorities later secured the scene for investigations.
Traffic officers and DCI personnel have since been reviewing CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and vehicle records to piece together the circumstances leading to the collision.
The loss of Cyrus Jirongo has sparked reactions across political and public circles. Many mourners have expressed grief over the sudden demise of the former MP, while road safety advocates are calling for renewed efforts to address accident-prone areas along Kenya’s highways.
The investigation into Jirongo’s death remains ongoing, and authorities urge motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic laws to prevent further loss of life on Kenya’s roads.
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