Wetang’ula: I was not a suspect in Jirongo death probe

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has dismissed what he termed as “sensationalised and malicious” reports suggesting he was interrogated as a suspect in investigations into death of former Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.

He said his interaction with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was purely voluntary and aimed at assisting investigators, after it emerged that he was among the last people to meet Jirongo before his death.

Wetang’ula spoke during an interview with TV47.

He took issue with a section of the media, which he accused of deliberately distorting facts.

The Speaker explained that on the night of December 12, he met Jirongo at his Karen residence between 8.30pm and 9.30pm, after which Jirongo left for home.

Upon learning of his friend’s death the following day, Wetang’ula reached out to the DCI to record a statement, noting that it was important to help investigators retrace Jirongo’s last movements.

“I volunteered a statement on my own volition. Nobody interrogated me. I was not summoned,” he said.

He added that several other individuals, including businessman Redman Malala, ex-Vihiga Senator George Khaniri, his wife and a couple of individuals, also recorded statements, but were conspicuously excluded from media focus.

Wetang’ula questioned why he was singled out, terming the reporting as malicious and calculated to paint him as a suspect in the public eye.

This is despite the DCI having already briefed the nation and indicated that the matter had been concluded.

He further revealed that he has instructed his lawyers to pursue legal action over what he described as reputational harm caused by false reporting.

Beyond the controversy, the Speaker spoke emotionally about his close relationship with Jirongo, describing him as a longtime friend whose loss continues to weigh heavily on him.

“Was Jirongo my friend? Yes. Did his family know this? Yes. My family knows how close he was to me. When you lose somebody close to you, it hits you,” Wetang’ula said.

He said their final conversation was ordinary and focused on personal and business matters, with nothing unusual discussed.

Addressing claims by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale  who alleged seeing Jirongo frequently visiting the Speaker’s office, Wetang’ula dismissed the assertions as strange and intrusive.

He said he owed no one an explanation about private discussions with a personal friend.

While acknowledging that public office comes with intense scrutiny, Wetang’ula warned against reckless commentary built on false premises, saying such narratives undermine both individual reputations and institutional integrity.

Nonetheless, he said he remains guided by his conscience and untroubled by political noise, reiterating his willingness to support Jirongo’s family with legal advice should they request it.