As questions continue to surround the death of former minister and ex-Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, new details have emerged regarding the circumstances of the fatal crash.
The latest development follows an account by a petrol station security guard who has challenged the version of events earlier given by the driver of the 65-seater bus involved in the head-on collision that claimed Jirongo’s life.
The guard, identified as Ephraim Cheptek, said Jirongo briefly entered and exited the petrol station without refuelling before the crash occurred directly outside the premises.
Fresh Twist in Jirongo’s Death as Petrol Station Guard Disputes Bus Driver’s Account. Photo: Courtesy.
He disputed the driver’s claim that Jirongo was overtaking at the time of the collision, adding that he was the only person alert when the accident happened at around 3am and describing the circumstances as unusual.
The security guard said Jirongo drove into the petrol station in an unusual manner, appearing as though he intended to refuel before abruptly leaving without taking fuel.
He noted that Jirongo slowed down on entry, briefly positioned his vehicle as if to refuel, then rejoined the highway, describing the movement as out of the ordinary.
Cheptek also dismissed claims that the road was congested at the time of the crash, saying the highway was clear and calm, with no vehicle trailing Jirongo’s Mercedes.
He added that traffic only built up after the accident occurred.
Cheptek’s account sharply contradicts the version earlier given by the driver of the bus involved in the crash, who had claimed that Jirongo drove out of a petrol station, encountered heavy traffic on his lane, and attempted to overtake.
The driver, speaking on Saturday, December 13, maintained that the accident could have been avoided, saying he saw Jirongo’s vehicle overtaking but had no space to manoeuvre and prevent a collision.
He further stated that he chose to stop to avoid his bus rolling over, allowing the impact to occur, and only later learned from police officers that the victim was former MP Cyrus Jirongo.
