Former Raila Odinga aide and ex-ODM Executive Director Wafula Buke has appealed to the family of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo to delay his burial, arguing that questions surrounding his death should first be thoroughly investigated.
In a statement shared on social media on Tuesday, Buke said Jirongo’s death, which occurred following a road accident in Naivasha, should not be treated as a routine case.
Buke argued that in past cases, the burial of prominent figures has often marked the end of public scrutiny and accountability.
He cited historical incidents involving political figures who died in road or air accidents, suggesting that some official explanations were later questioned or disputed.
According to Buke, he personally visited a petrol station near the scene of the Naivasha accident and spoke to an attendant who claimed to have been on duty on the day Jirongo died.
Buke alleged that the attendant described a Mercedes-Benz vehicle entering and leaving the station hurriedly before the crash occurred a short distance away.
These claims, however, have not been independently verified.
He further questioned whether a full forensic assessment had been conducted to establish whether Jirongo’s injuries were consistent with the reported accident.
Buke proposed that independent experts, including vehicle manufacturers, be involved in examining the wreckage to confirm the cause and impact of the crash.
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In his appeal, Buke referenced past high-profile deaths, including those of Bishop Alexander Muge and former ministers, where official investigations were later criticised for gaps or lack of transparency.
He argued that preserving Jirongo’s body in the morgue would allow pathologists and investigators adequate time to conduct thorough examinations.
Cyrus Jirongo, a businessman and former MP, was a well-known figure in Kenyan politics and public life.
As of publication, authorities have not announced any new investigations beyond the initial reports on the fatal accident.