ODM party leader Oburu Oginga has urged political leaders to refrain from politicising the death of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, warning against attempts to read malice into the tragedy.
Speaking during the joint requiem mass at Africa Gospel Church Karen on Wednesday, he reminded leaders that “a politician is also a human being” and can die in a normal accident like anyone else.
Oburu said he first met Ng’eno in 2012 at the late Raila Odinga’s office, describing him as “a very passionate” young politician who initially sought to vie on an ODM ticket but later opted to run under Jubilee party after concluding his constituency would not elect him on an ODM ticket.
“That was very honest,” Oburu recalled, noting that despite party differences, Ng’eno remained close and later joined them in Parliament.
Drawing from his long parliamentary experience since 1994, Oburu said he often advised younger legislators that constituents “will not respect you simply because you speak a lot in Parliament. They will respect you if they see a difference in their life.”
He urged MPs to actively engage Cabinet Secretaries and ensure public resources flow to their people, warning that even when funds are allocated, “the implementation does not happen. The money disappears in the hands of a few people.”
However, his strongest message was directed at the political class amid speculation surrounding the fatal crash that claimed the life of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno and five others.
“Politicians are going to now start talking about some ill motive,” he cautioned. “Please don’t read malice in the death of our brother… he died like everybody else can die.”
He called for prayers for eternal peace for all those who perished and extended condolences on behalf of his family, the ODM fraternity, and the people he represents.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula echoed the call for restraint, saying, “When there is a tragedy of this nature in our country, it will be good for all of us to appreciate the will of God and not assign malice where it is not necessary.”
He defended the late pilot, Captain George Were, as “an extremely careful pilot” who “cannot have endangered his own life,” urging aviation authorities to investigate the aircraft and recommend corrective measures to prevent similar incidents.
First elected as a Member of Parliament in 2013, Johana Ng’eno was serving his third term as Emurua Dikirr MP at the time of his death.
He chaired the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works, where he oversaw the passage of the Affordable Housing Act, 2024, establishing a legal framework to expand access to decent housing.
He also served on the Liaison Committee and previously sat in the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee during the 12th Parliament.
Born in 1972, Ng’eno studied at Mogondo Primary and Maseno National School, later earning degrees from Kyiv TSN University and the University of Nairobi before qualifying as an Advocate in 2025.
