The death of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno in a helicopter crash has sparked a sharp political clash in Parliament, with National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of turning a tragedy into a political platform.
Ng’eno lost his life on February 28, 2026, after a helicopter he was travelling in went down in Nandi County, killing all six people on board.
The Airbus H125 aircraft caught fire after crashing in a forested area near Chepkiep in Mosop Sub-County. Earlier that day, the legislator had attended a function in Endebess before boarding the ill-fated flight.
Moments after news of the crash emerged, Gachagua addressed a rally in Nyahururu where he publicly announced the MP’s death.
“Tumepata habari ya kwamba mjumbe wa Emurua Dikirr, pale Kipsigis, Johana Ngeno, ameaga dunia, kwa ajali ya helicopter,” Gachagua announced.
He described Ng’eno as an influential figure within the Kipsigis community and a key political leader. Gachagua went on to demand a full probe into the cause of the crash.
“We want to call for a very thorough investigation into the helicopter crash that killed the honourable Johana Ngeno.”
He then led the crowd in observing a minute of silence in honour of the late MP. Later, he posted a message on X expressing his grief.
“I am very saddened by the news of the tragic death of Hon Johanna Ngeno, the MP for Emurua Dikirr, in a helicopter crash.”
“Hon Ng’eno was my very great friend who faced threats and intimidation as he was forced to hound me out of office. We remained the best of friends up to his death.”
Gachagua repeated his call for investigations, stating:
“I call for thorough and speedy investigations into the cause of the crash that must be made public.”
However, the remarks did not sit well with Ichung’wah, who on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, used his time in the National Assembly to strongly criticise the former Deputy President’s conduct.
“Even before the immediate family gets to know of the loss of a loved one, you are there in a political rally announcing their death. It’s shameful, Honourable Speaker.”
Ichung’wah went further, accusing Gachagua of lacking empathy and respect.
“ This is a dark man with a very black and dark heart and soul. Somebody who has no feeling, no respect for family, no respect for anybody. Somebody who has scavenged on anything, including death, to try and drive or get some political capital.”
He faulted what he termed as attempts to gain political mileage from the tragedy.
“Shame on you that you should use the departure of one of us to do your cheap ethnic-based politics or even imagine that you can incite one sub-tribe against another or one community against another.”
The Majority Leader told the House that he had visited Ng’eno’s home earlier that morning together with Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, where they witnessed the family’s pain.
“Honourable Speaker, you were at Ngeno’s house this morning. You saw how distraught that family is. It’s sad that somebody who purports to be a leader, and I don’t know of what because he leads nothing, can use such an opportunity to be seen like you are celebrating the passing on of another human being. That is what a man with a black heart does. That is what those with dark souls do. And I say shame on them as we mourn our colleague and the five other Kenyans who lost their lives.”
