Security Guard Dismissed After Eyewitness Account of Ex-MP’s Fatal Accident
A security guard has been terminated from his employment following his detailed eyewitness testimony regarding the tragic accident that claimed the life of former Member of Parliament (MP) Cyrus Jirongo. Ephraim Cheptek, who was on duty at the Eagol Petrol Station along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway when the collision occurred, has found himself jobless after providing his account of the incident. The circumstances of his dismissal have sparked outrage and condemnation from the Private Security Workers Union, which argues that Cheptek was unfairly targeted for performing his professional duties.
The accident, which involved a head-on collision between Jirongo’s Mercedes-Benz and a Climax Coach bus, took place in the early hours of Saturday, December 13. Cheptek was stationed at the petrol station, a location that placed him as a key witness to the events leading up to and during the crash.
Union Condemns Dismissal as Unfair and Punitive
The Private Security Workers Union has vehemently opposed Cheptek’s termination, labeling it as both unjust and retaliatory. Isaac Andabwa, the union’s secretary general, expressed strong disapproval of the employer’s decision, emphasizing that Cheptek was acting in his official capacity and assisting investigators.
“You cannot fire someone because he has been interviewed by the media regarding Jirongo’s death, yet he was on duty officially,” Andabwa stated. “The information that he was giving to the agents of investigation is part of his mandatory duty as a private security officer in the petrol station. You cannot punish him for giving information.”
Andabwa issued a stern warning to Cheptek’s employer, demanding immediate reinstatement. He declared, “I want to take this opportunity as the chairperson of all security guards in Kenya, and also as a board member of Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU), to issue a serious warning to the employer of Ephraim. Failure to reinstate him will see us head to court and sue for unfair termination of work and intimidation of the security officer.”
Conflicting Accounts Fuel Investigation Calls
Cheptek’s testimony directly contradicted the version of events presented by the bus driver. The driver had claimed that Jirongo was attempting to overtake other vehicles at the time of the collision. This discrepancy has intensified public scrutiny and reignited calls for a comprehensive and thorough investigation into the exact circumstances surrounding the former MP’s demise.
Details of Cheptek’s Eyewitness Account
According to Cheptek’s statement, the road was clear at the time of the incident. He reported that Jirongo’s vehicle entered the Eagol Petrol Station from the Nairobi direction. Cheptek observed Jirongo slowing down, seemingly as if intending to refuel. However, instead of stopping, Jirongo’s vehicle proceeded directly through the station and back onto the highway. It was at this point that the former lawmaker accelerated, leading to the fatal head-on collision with the oncoming Climax Coach bus. Jirongo tragically passed away at the scene of the accident.
Climax Coaches Responds to Accident Details
In the wake of the accident, Climax Coaches, the operator of the bus involved, has come forward to clarify certain details. The company confirmed that the bus was en route from Nairobi to Busia and was carrying 51 passengers at the time of the crash, although only 46 were officially listed on the passenger manifest.
Climax Coaches stated that the bus made multiple stops in various Nairobi suburbs to pick up passengers before continuing its journey along the Nairobi–Naivasha highway. The company emphasized its full cooperation with the ongoing investigations by the police, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Climax Coaches maintains its position that the incident was a standard road accident.
