Newspapers on Wednesday, January 21, reported on various topics, while the investigation into the tragic death of former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo returned to the newspaper pages.
Source: UGC
Elsewhere, newspapers reported on ODM leader Oburu Oginga’s efforts to cool down the orange party as disputes escalated.
1. The Standard
The newspaper reported on the ongoing investigation into the death of former Lugari Member of Parliament Cyrus Jirongo.
According to The Standard, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula is among the 28 people questioned over the death of former Cabinet minister Cyrus Jirongo, who died in a road accident along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway on December 13, 2025.
Investigators are investigating the circumstances of the accident, which has led to allegations of foul play by political leaders, particularly in Western Kenya.
Jirongo, a former member of parliament for Lugari, was killed on the spot when his Mercedes Benz collided head-on with a Busia-bound Climax bus near Eagol Petrol Station in Naivasha.
Preliminary investigation shows that the accident happened at 2:18 am, shortly after Jirongo turned his car through the station. The collision dragged his car about 25 meters from the collision site.
The police removed the wreckage of the car and transferred the stranded passengers to the rescue bus. However, suspicions of murder quickly emerged, prompting the director of the Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Mohamed Amin to assign investigators to the case.
Some politicians demanded answers about why Jirongo was in Naivasha, if he was driving himself, why his car’s airbags failed, and they claim that his injuries were not the same as a normal accident.
Former Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, who recorded his statement on January 7, said:
“If they (DCI) answer these questions, then we will be satisfied that it was an accident. But if there was a hand in his death, then we will not accept it, and demand to know who wanted him to die.”
Wetang’ula, among the last people seen by Jirongo, told detectives about their meeting at the Oasis Restaurant on December 12, which lasted nearly an hour.
Wetang’ula left at about 3:30 pm, while Jirongo stayed until 5 pm before driving. About three hours later, he was killed.
Despite the rumours, Amin has emphasized that;
“It was an accident, and there was no foul play involved. But we invite all those with different information to provide us as the investigation is still ongoing.”
Statements have been taken from Jirongo’s wife, his daughter, Oasis owner Rebman Malala, Khaniri’s wife, bus passengers, bus driver and conductor, and Eagol Petrol Station staff.
Investigators also recorded statements from Julius Kiprotich Chelule, the rescue bus driver, and Ibrahim Sambuli, who interacted with Jirongo at Oasis.
The investigation, led by DCI special director Martin Nyuguto, has revisited the accident site and interviewed passengers in Busia and Kakamega.
Investigators confirmed that the Climax bus was carrying 51 passengers, traveling from Machakos, Kibra, Kawangware, and Gitaru before departing at 5:30pm.
On January 5, the DCI announced that a multidisciplinary team, including forensic experts, had been deployed. The bus videos and camera footage from the scene are being forensically examined as investigators attempt to close the case and present the findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
2. The Star
The newspaper reported on a meeting called by ODM leader Oburu Oginga to calm the atmosphere in the orange party.
Oburu convened a general meeting of Luo elders and community leaders, marking his first grassroots participation amid tensions with the family of his late younger brother, Raila Odinga if you get stronger.
The meeting, scheduled for Saturday at Ciala Resort, is expected to increase tension with Raila’s family as Oburu tries to consolidate support and position himself as the legitimate leader of the community following Raila’s death in October last year.
Members will also be asked to approve ODM’s resolution to start coalition talks with the President’s party William Ruto of UDA.
According to The Star, more than 2,000 participants, including elders, opinion leaders, women leaders, civil society representatives, and youth leaders, have been invited.
Attendees will come from all four Luo Nyanza counties: Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, and Homa Bay.
The Kisumu conference follows the Duol meeting held at a Nairobi hotel on Monday, attended by elected ODM leaders.
Duol is an informal meeting that brings together MCAs, MPs, senators, women representatives, and governors from the Luo community.
Raila’s family, through his youngest daughter Winnie Odingahas openly rejected Oburu’s leadership, pointing to what many see as a deep family rivalry.
Analysts warn that family opposition could undermine Ruto’s ambitions in Nyanza and weaken ODM.
Sources who attended the Duol meeting told The Star that Saturday’s forum is aimed at strengthening Oburu’s base and demonstrating his authority as ODM struggles with internal divisions.
“We will meet as a Luo community on Saturday at the Ciala hotel, the meeting will be attended by more than 2,000 elders and community leaders from four counties,” the MP who attended the meeting revealed.
The meeting comes just a few days after Winnie publicly questioned the qualities of Oburu’s leadership within ODM, calling for a national conference of delegates to elect new leaders.
Speaking at a rally at Kamukunji grounds in Kibra, Winnie accused her uncle of stealing the party and trying to silence dissenting voices, a move she vowed would not succeed.
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3. Nation Today
The newspaper reported on the explanation of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino about his relationship with the former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
He denied allegations that he sought Gachagua for political cooperation, promising that he must take the helm of the ODM party.
Babu said his goal is to seek votes from all communities in Nairobi to become governor and he will not participate in tribal politics to achieve his goal.
“I didn’t look for Rigathi and he didn’t look for me. Leaders must have someone to blame, why are ODM leaders working with Ruto who robbed them of victory? Let’s not be people who focus on small things, let’s focus on getting votes. Even Rigathi is not a perfect politician, but let’s increase our basket of votes to lead and help our people,” said Babu.
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