Wife reveals last words she had with Jirongo

By Newsflash Writer

One of the wives to the late politician and businessman Cyrus Jirongo’s wives has revealed the last words she shared with him as mourners in Nairobi gathered on Saturday for a requiem mass that marked the close of tributes to the late politician and businessman.

Mr Jirongo died on December 13 in Karai, Naivasha, along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway after his vehicle was reportedly involved in a collision with a Busia-bound bus.

Hundreds of mourners filled CITAM Valley Road to honour a man remembered as energetic, visionary and deeply devoted to his family. He is survived by three wives and 21 children.

The final conversation

In an emotional tribute, his wife Anne Lanoi recounted their last interaction, unaware at the time that it would be their final meeting. She said Mr Jirongo called her on the afternoon of December 12 to ask where she was and suggested they meet.

“I told him I was at the supermarket, and he said he wanted to see me. He drove to where I was. We met in the parking lot, and I stepped aside with the trolley to talk to him,” she said.

Inside the car, the two held a lengthy and reflective discussion, largely centred on his business ventures. Before parting, Mr Jirongo told her he was heading back to the office to “build his castle” and mentioned an upcoming meeting with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. She said Naivasha had not featured in his plans, making news of the crash the following morning all the more shocking.

Later that day, at about 4pm, he called her again on FaceTime, explaining that he had not gone to the office after all but had returned home and rested for roughly two hours. That call would be their last exchange.

Ms Lanoi said she never imagined their brief meeting in the supermarket parking lot would be the final time she saw him in person. Despite several calls that day, she was overcome by an unexplained sense of unease and could not sleep through the night.

“At midnight, I checked my phone and took a screenshot—that’s the photo I used for my tribute. I could hear voices but couldn’t understand them,” she said. At around 3am, her husband’s phone rang. A stranger on the line informed her that Mr Jirongo had been involved in an accident and was unconscious.

Lingering questions over his death

Even as tributes continue to pour in, questions remain over the circumstances surrounding Mr Jirongo’s death. People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and former Vihiga senator George Khaniri have publicly raised concerns.

Ms Karua said the former Lugari MP had previously expressed fears about his personal security and was in the process of strengthening it. “Cyrus had concerns about his safety and was making arrangements to improve it. This accident occurred before that. Those questions will not go away,” she said, noting that they had been discussing possible political collaboration ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Mr Khaniri, a close family friend, said he was not convinced that Mr Jirongo had driven to Naivasha that night. “There are many inconsistencies. We are told it was a head-on collision with a Busia-bound bus, yet no passenger has come forward,” he said, also questioning why none of the 12 airbags in Mr Jirongo’s Mercedes-Benz were reportedly deployed.

Family members and allies are now calling for a thorough investigation to establish how he left his Karen home, travelled to Naivasha and ended up in the fatal crash.

Remembered as a unifying figure

DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa described Mr Jirongo as a unifying force within the Luhya community and urged the region to remain united in his honour. Other leaders who paid tribute included Muhoho Kenyatta and former Jubilee Party vice-chairman David Murathe.

Mr Kenyatta said he received news of the accident while abroad. “Cyrus was full of life and energy. The thought that he is no longer with us is difficult to grasp. He had ideas, depth, charisma and limitless drive,” he said.

Mr Jirongo’s other wives, Christine Nyokabi and Anne Kanini, remembered him as a devoted family man, while his 21 children described him as a loving and caring father who was deeply invested in their lives.