Linus Kaikai reflects on friendship he shared with MP Ng’eno in emotional tribute

Journalist Linus Kaikai has expressed grief following the sudden demise of Johana Ng’eno, describing him as a brave and self-made leader.

In a TikTok post on Sunday, March 1, 2026, after news of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed MP Ng’eno’s life, Kaikai revealed the deep personal bond he shared with the late lawmaker, saying he considered him not only a colleague but also a friend and brother.

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“I have lost a friend and a brother. He was a brave man; a conviction politician,” he wrote.

Kaikai described Ng’eno as a courageous politician and a champion of the causes he believed in, noting that his passing came abruptly, leaving friends and associates in shock.

He further emphasised that the loss was deeply personal, reflecting on the qualities that made Ng’eno a respected figure in his community and in Parliament.

“a self-made leader and a champion of the causes he believed in. That was rudely sudden. Rest in peace, my friend,” Kai Kai added.

Untimely demise

MP Johana Ng’eno was among six people who died in a helicopter crash on Saturday, February 28, 2026, near Chepkieb Primary School in Mosop, Nandi County.

The helicopter, an Airbus H125 with registration 5Y-DSB, went down in a densely forested area amid heavy rainfall, which is believed to have contributed to the accident.

Eyewitnesses at the scene described seeing the helicopter initially land in a nearby clearing before taking off again, spiralling in the sky, and eventually crashing into the forest with a massive fireball.

Onlookers rushed to the site but found the victims trapped in flames, with some bodies charred beyond recognition.

Despite attempts to extinguish the fire, the intensity made rescue impossible until emergency officers arrived.

The victims’ bodies, including that of MP Ng’eno, were later transported to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, where officials confirmed they had been severely burnt.

Identification and dressing of the remains took time, with relatives and officials being guided through careful procedures to allow for proper viewing and mourning.

The crash has sent shockwaves across Nandi County, particularly in Emurua Dikirr, where Ng’eno was widely regarded as a committed and influential leader.

Born in 1972, Ng’eno grew up in poverty in the Rift Valley and overcame numerous hardships, including a famine in 1994 that forced his family to relocate. As a boy, he walked long distances with donkeys carrying charcoal and maize to earn a living.

First elected as Emurua Dikirr MP in 2013, Ng’eno successfully defended his seat in the 2017 and 2022 general elections.

He was known for his active role in community initiatives, including women’s empowerment programmes and forums supporting youth development.

National leaders expressed profound sorrow following the tragedy. Babu Owino described Ng’eno’s death as a loss not only to his family but also to Parliament and the nation.

Ndindi Nyoro called the incident traumatic, noting Ng’eno’s courage, forthrightness, and dedication to public service. Governors and MPs from surrounding counties also visited MTRH to mourn, calling on the public to remain patient and allow authorities to investigate the cause of the crash.

Investigators have launched a probe into the accident, focusing on weather conditions, helicopter maintenance, and flight protocols, while safety warnings have been issued to pilots operating in the region during the ongoing rainy season.