He was happy: Johana Ng’eno’s final interactions before boarding ill-fated chopper

An Eldoret-based photographer, Kipchirchir Mosonik, has said that the late Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament (MP) Johana Ng’eno was in high spirits moments before boarding the chopper that later crashed.

Speaking to a local media publication on Sunday, March 1, 2026, Mosonik said he was there and spoke about the last moments they shared.

“Actually, I bid him the last goodbye,” he said as he recalled the moment.

Mosonik said MP Ng’eno boarded the chopper in a happy mood.

“Akapanda kwa chopper and he was one of the happiest people,” he recounted.

He added that the MP looked joyful. “In fact, he was very happy,” he said as he described his last memory of him.

He said the moment has left him heavy in his heart. “Kwa sasa naskia kama roho yangu ni mzito,” he said as he spoke about how he feels now.

He also said goodbye.

“And I say rest in peace, mheshimiwa,” he said.

What he saw before the flight

Mosonik also spoke about what he noticed about the pilot. “But what I know is Captain alikua na haraka pia,” he said.

He added that he thought the pilot needed to return to Nairobi.

“Nadhani alifaa kurudi Nairobi,” he said as he explained what he observed.

He said the MP had told him they were going to an event.

“Mheshimiwa aliniambia tunaenda event,” he said.

He added that when they arrived, the MP chose to go somewhere first.

“When we came, he chose kuenda huko kwanza,” he said.

Mosonik said the pilot later came to pick them up.

“Then the pilot akanikujia, after kutupick,” he said.

He added that he thought the pilot needed to go back early, saying, “I think the pilot alikua anafaa kurudi mapema so after kutuchukua….”

He said after they arrived in Kitale, they received news of the crash.

“After sisi tulifika Kitale, tulipata information kuwa kuna accident imetokea ya chopper,” he said.

He explained that this is how he learned about what had happened.

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital later received six bodies from the helicopter crash in Nandi. The hospital CEO, Philip Kirwa, confirmed the condition of the bodies, which were burnt beyond recognition.

Transfer of bodies to Nairobi

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Masika Wetang’ula has directed the National Assembly Clerk to facilitate the repatriation of the remains of the late Emurua Dikirr MP, Johanna Ng’eno, from Eldoret to Nairobi.

In a statement shared on the Speaker’s various social media channels on Sunday, March 1, 2026, Wetang’ula confirmed that funeral preparations for the late outspoken MP are now in top gear.

Besides Ng’eno’s body, Wetang’ula directed the National Assembly Clerk to facilitate the repatriation of the bodies of the other victims.

“I have directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to facilitate the transportation of the bodies of all victims of the fatal helicopter crash in Nandi to Nairobi,” Wetang’ula directed.