I Chose to Save 65 Lives over Jirongo
The driver of the Climax Company bus, which was involved in the tragic crash that took the life of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, has come forward to share his side of the story. He explained that he had to make a split-second decision to safeguard the 65 passengers on board, even as the collision seemed unavoidable.
Tirus Kamau, who has been with the long-distance bus company for eight years, shared that he was driving from Nairobi to Busia when the tragic accident happened around 3 a.m. on Saturday in Karai, Naivasha.
Kamau shared with reporters at the Naivasha Police Station that a white Mercedes-Benz E350, which was later identified as being driven by Jirongo, unexpectedly swerved into his lane.
“The Mercedes was driving out of a petrol station on the highway, and I was on my way to Busia from Nairobi,” he recalled, “The driver of the Mercedes didn’t give way. He decided to overlap into my lane because there was traffic on his side.”
With 65 passengers on board and just seconds to make a decision, Kamau quickly realized that making a sharp turn off the road could very well send the bus tumbling down.
“I was carrying 65 people,” he said. “When I tried to avoid hitting him, I realised the bus would go down, so I decided to save the 65 people.”
It was a split-second decision: take the hit at the front of the bus instead of risking a rollover that could endanger the lives of many.
The impact crumpled the front of the Mercedes beyond recognition. Kamau mentioned that he had no clue who was behind the wheel until the police showed up.
“I didn’t know who it was, but when police came, they confirmed it was Cyrus Jirongo. He died on the spot,” he said quietly.
According to a police report from the Naivasha Traffic Base, Jirongo was driving his Mercedes towards Nairobi when he veered out of his lane and crashed head-on into a bus from Climax Company.
A former MP tragically lost his life after suffering severe head injuries, and he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His body has been taken to the Naivasha Sub-County Morgue, where it will await a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, both vehicles involved in the incident have been towed to Naivasha Police Station for further inspection.
Kamau’s perspective adds a deeply human touch to this heartbreaking event, illustrating the dilemma faced by a driver in the dead of night: should he risk flipping a fully loaded bus or brace for impact to protect the lives of dozens of passengers?
The police are still investigating the precise cause of the crash, even as heartfelt tributes for Jirongo continue to come in from political leaders and citizens across the nation.
President William Ruto has expressed his condolences to Jirongo’s family, honoring him as a “relentless go-getter, a seasoned businessman, and a consummate politician who refused to let life’s challenges define or defeat him.”
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka remembered Jirongo as a “bold and charismatic leader who never hesitated to stand out, challenge the status quo, or pursue his beliefs with courage and clarity. His impact on Kenya’s public life and his unique voice in our national conversations will not be forgotten.”
I Chose to Save 65 Lives over Jirongo
