Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Johana Ng’eno while sharply condemning what he described as insincere mourning from individuals who allegedly mistreated the legislator during his lifetime.
Ng’eno died together with five other people after a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from Tabolwa Airstrip. The aircraft, registration 5Y-DSB, went down on Saturday after the MP had spent the day travelling across Narok, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties, where he had been involved in several community engagements, including assisting victims affected by floods.
Others who lost their lives in the tragic accident were retired Colonel George Were, who piloted the helicopter, forest ranger Amos Kimwetich Rotich, Ng’eno’s cameraman Nicholas Kosgei, teacher Robert Kipkoech Keter and Narok County protocol officer Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono. A post-mortem carried out by government pathologist Johansen Oduor confirmed that all six victims succumbed to severe burns and multiple traumatic injuries sustained during the crash.
In a detailed tribute released ahead of the burial scheduled for Friday, March 6, Gachagua described Ng’eno as a courageous and principled leader who consistently spoke out for the interests of the Kipsigis community. He said the late MP was fearless in advocating for his people even when his stance attracted criticism in political circles.
Gachagua noted that Ng’eno often highlighted the struggles facing the Kipsigis community, which he said had long suffered from inadequate infrastructure such as roads, electricity and reliable water services despite living in a fertile region.
However, the former deputy president also criticised individuals he accused of isolating and humiliating the MP while he was alive but are now publicly mourning him. He said such behaviour was hypocritical and unacceptable.
Gachagua revealed that because of his strong views on the matter, he would not attend the burial ceremony, saying his principles would not allow him to share a platform with those he believes mistreated the late legislator. He nonetheless expressed condolences to Ng’eno’s family, the people of Emurua Dikirr and the wider Kipsigis community.
