DCI Probe Continues as Postmortem Details Cause of Death of Former MP Cyrus Jirongo

Former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo died from blunt force trauma that caused severe injuries to his chest and abdomen, according to postmortem findings released following an examination conducted at Lee Funeral Home.

The postmortem revealed that Jirongo also sustained injuries to his spine and legs. The examination was conducted in the presence of family pathologist Dr Joseph Ndung’u and Chief Government Pathologist Dr Johansen Oduor.

Dr Ndung’u stated that the body had multiple injuries, including fractures to the right hand and both legs.

“There was an injury to the chest with multiple rib fractures, perforation of the heart with rupture of the major vessels that connect the heart. There was also bleeding to the chest cavity,” he said.

He further noted that Jirongo sustained severe abdominal injuries, including damage to the liver, which resulted in internal bleeding within the abdominal cavity. The postmortem also established that there was transection of the spinal cord.

“We formed an opinion that he died as a result of injuries to the chest, abdomen and spinal injuries due to blunt force trauma,” Dr Ndung’u said.

Police officers were present during the postmortem exercise, a development that now gives investigators direction in the ongoing probe into the incident.

On Tuesday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that it had commenced investigations into the circumstances surrounding Jirongo’s death. He succumbed to injuries sustained in a fatal road accident that occurred on December 13 in Karai along the Nakuru–Nairobi highway.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the accident involved Jirongo’s vehicle and a passenger service bus belonging to Climax Company Ltd. The collision occurred at approximately 2.19 am and resulted in a head-on impact. Jirongo’s vehicle was pushed about 25 metres from the point of impact, while the PSV bus came to a stop approximately 50 metres away.

The DCI deployed a combined team of homicide detectives and forensic experts from the National Forensic Laboratory, who visited the scene, conducted preliminary examinations, and secured key exhibits.

As part of scene documentation, detectives recovered CCTV footage from Eagol petrol station, which has since undergone initial review and analysis. According to the footage, at 2.18.40 am, Jirongo drove into the petrol station from the Nairobi direction but did not fuel.

At 2.19.10 am, the vehicle stopped at the station’s exit, and at 2.19.19 am, it made a right turn, driving back toward the Nairobi direction. At 2.19.25 am, the CCTV footage captured the PSV bus ramming into Jirongo’s vehicle.

Detectives have since interrogated the PSV driver, Tyrus Githinji, who had earlier recorded a statement at the Naivasha Traffic Base. Githinji was released on cash bail pending further investigations and is required to report back to the Naivasha Traffic Base on December 22 for further police action.

In addition, detectives have interviewed the petrol station’s night guard and fuel attendant, both of whom provided personal accounts of the events that occurred that night.

Investigations are ongoing, with the forensic team scheduled to revisit the scene for further analysis. Detectives are also examining Jirongo’s movements prior to the accident, including recording statements from individuals he interacted with on the night in question.

Further analysis of the CCTV footage is underway, and additional statements will be recorded from passengers aboard the Climax Company Ltd bus and other witnesses. Upon completion of investigations, a comprehensive police file will be compiled and forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for perusal and advice.

The accident has continued to attract public attention, with multiple theories emerging amid pressure from the family, who have called on police to take action and fully disclose all findings.