Cyrus Jirongo. Photo/Courtesy
Fresh details have emerged about the final hours surrounding the death of former Cabinet minister and businessman Cyrus Jirongo, after his widow, Anne Jirongo, publicly recounted how she was informed of the tragedy.
She spoke on Saturday during a memorial service held at CITAM Church in Nairobi, attended by family members, political leaders, and close associates.
Addressing mourners, Mrs Jirongo described receiving an unexpected phone call in the early hours of the morning following the fatal road crash on the Nairobi–Naivasha highway.
She said she was awake at the time, unsettled and unable to sleep, when her husband’s phone number appeared on her screen shortly after 3am.
According to her account, the call was not from her husband but from a stranger who had possession of his phone. The caller first sought to confirm whether she knew the phone’s owner.
After she identified herself as Jirongo’s wife, she asked to speak to him and inquired about his location.
Mrs Jirongo told the congregation that she was informed her husband had been involved in a road accident and was unconscious.
She said the caller indicated that he was receiving medical attention at the time of the call.
The memorial service served as a moment of reflection on Jirongo’s life in public service and business.
Speakers highlighted his long involvement in national politics, where he served in government and later remained an influential voice in public affairs.
He was remembered as a figure who actively engaged in national debates and political organisation.
Jirongo died following the crash along the Nairobi–Naivasha highway, a major transport corridor that has recorded numerous serious accidents over the years.
His death has once again drawn attention to road safety concerns on Kenyan highways, particularly during night travel.
Family members used the service to thank Kenyans for the messages of condolence and support received since his passing.
They said preparations were ongoing as the family comes to terms with the loss.
The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, as relatives, friends, and colleagues continue to mourn a prominent figure in Kenya’s political and business landscape.