The dispute over the death of former Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno has taken a political turn, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of raising questions about the fatal plane crash for political gain.
Murkomen, in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, dismissed Gachagua’s claims about the circumstances of Ng’eno’s death, saying they were aimed at attracting attention before the former deputy president’s planned visit to Emurua Dikirr.
The Interior CS accused Gachagua of turning the deaths of prominent leaders into political talking points as he seeks to rebuild his political standing.
“Rigathi Gachagua, you are a hopeless, helpless and despicable human being. One who will exploit anything under the sun to resuscitate a failed political career,” Murkomen said.
Murkomen said Gachagua had recently linked the deaths of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and Ng’eno to issues that he was now using to advance his political interests.
He questioned why Gachagua had waited for months before speaking about Ng’eno’s death, saying the former MP’s family had continued to mourn without receiving any support from him.
Ng’eno died more than five months ago following a plane crash. According to Murkomen, preliminary investigations had pointed to poor weather conditions, while residents of Chepkiep in Nandi County supported the account of the incident.
“So let me ask you plainly: Mr. Gachagua, where have you been all this time? You have never called Ng’eno’s family. You have never visited to condole with them. Not once. Yet you want Kenyans to believe you were ‘his friend’?” he posed.
Fuel claims rejected
Murkomen also pushed back against Gachagua’s suggestion that the aircraft could have been fuelled with adulterated jet fuel before the crash.
He said the Interior Ministry had no mandate over the supply of aviation fuel and did not supervise the air transport sector, arguing that Gachagua knew this but had still chosen to associate the ministry with the matter.
“The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration has absolutely no oversight over the supply of fuel and does not supervise air transport. You know this, yet you still rush to drag my name ostensibly to gain political traction in the Rift Valley,” he said.
Gachagua had also raised questions about an “unusual car” allegedly involved in transporting the jet fuel and claimed that the driver had briefly been arrested by Kenya Revenue Authority officials.
Murkomen challenged him to disclose the identities of the people involved and provide any information he had to investigators.
“Why don’t you make their names public? Why are you protecting them? Why not hand over identities and statements to the investigators, or record a proper statement with the DCI?” he asked.
The CS described the allegations as “made-up, cooked-up nonsense meant for political mischief.”
Family left mourning
Murkomen further accused Gachagua of being insensitive to families affected by the deaths of prominent leaders.
He claimed the former deputy president had at one point announced Ng’eno’s death at a political rally before the deceased MP’s family had received the information.
“Your callousness and attempt to use unfortunate deaths of Hon. Raila, Gen. Ogolla and Hon. Ng’eno for political mileage is insensitive, irresponsible and shameful,” Murkomen said.
The confrontation comes as the political relationship between Murkomen and Gachagua grows increasingly hostile, with the two leaders seeking influence in the Rift Valley and beyond ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Murkomen said he would not allow what he described as attempts to create instability to interfere with his responsibilities at the Interior Ministry.
“I will continue protecting the lives and property of Kenyans with unwavering resolve and dedication against your wicked desire for instability, destruction and anarchy,” he said