OMWENGA: Why Jirongo death demands deep and impartial probe

the immediate grief felt by his family, friends and supporters, his passing raises a broader and deeply Kenyan question: when prominent public figures die under sudden or unclear circumstances, do the powers that be do enough to establish the full truth?

Kenya’s history suggests that the answer is often ‘no’. That history alone makes a thorough, transparent and independent investigation into Jirongo’s death not only prudent, but necessary.

Jirongo was not a marginal figure or a has-been. A Gen Z of his time, or close to it, Jirongo splashed into the national limelight due to his involvement with the infamous YK92, Vijana wa Party ya Baba na Mama.

Over decades, he occupied influential political and economic spaces, interacted with powerful actors and remained a recognisable name in Kenya’s public life. In any democratic society, the sudden death of such a figure — especially in an incident as easily obscured as a road accident — must be examined beyond routine procedures. This is not to pre-judge foul play, but to ensure public confidence in the integrity of state institutions and investigative processes.

Kenya’s painful past provides compelling reasons for caution. The country has experienced numerous high-profile deaths that were initially explained away but later raised serious unanswered questions — questions that continue to haunt public discourse and erode trust.

Perhaps the most emblematic case is that of Dr Robert Ouko, Kenya’s former Minister for Foreign Affairs, found brutally murdered in 1990. Despite a judicial commission of inquiry and international attention, no one has ever been conclusively held accountable. Evidence disappeared, witnesses contradicted themselves and political interference was widely alleged. To this day, the Ouko case stands as a symbol of institutional failure and impunity at the highest levels.

More recently, the mysterious death of Jacob Juma, a controversial businessman who openly accused senior government figures of corruption, reinforced public cynicism. Juma was found dead in his car in 2016 under circumstances that authorities quickly ruled a suicide. Yet, the speed with which the case was closed only deepened suspicion and fuelled conspiracy theories that thrive where transparency is absent.

These are not isolated examples. From Pio Gama Pinto and Tom Mboya in the post-Independence era, to JM Kariuki, and later unexplained deaths of activists, witnessesand whistleblowers, Kenya’s political history is marked by a pattern: influential individuals die suddenly, investigations are rushed or compromised, and the truth remains elusive. Each unresolved case compounds national trauma and normalises the idea that some lives — and some truths — are expendable.

It is against this backdrop that Jirongo’s death must be viewed. A road traffic accident may well be the correct explanation. But in a country where car crashes have, in the past, been used to mask assassinations or negligence, accepting the first explanation without exhaustive scrutiny would be irresponsible.

Modern forensic science, independent accident reconstruction, digital data analysis and witness protection mechanisms provide tools that were unavailable in earlier decades.

There is simply no excuse for superficial inquiry.

A thorough investigation should include: a transparent postmortem conducted by independent pathologists; full disclosure of accident scene analysis; scrutiny of vehicle condition and data; examination of CCTV and mobile phone records; and protection of any witnesses who may possess relevant information. Just as importantly, findings should be made public in a manner that allows independent experts and the public to assess their credibility.

This is not about politicising death or exploiting tragedy. It is about learning from history rather than repeating it. When the state demonstrates seriousness and openness in investigating the death of a prominent figure, it sends a powerful signal that no case is too sensitive, no individual too powerful, and no truth too inconvenient.

The cynic would say where does that leave the question of whether the state itself is the culprit, the answer is let’s pray that’s not the case — anymore.

Jirongo’s death presents Kenya with the choice to either follow familiar path of quick conclusions and lingering doubt, or it can break with tradition and set a new standard for accountability.