Leaders and residents across the Rift Valley have mourned Emurua Dikir MP Johanna Ngeno, describing him as a courageous, committed and visionary leader.
The leaders remembered Ngeno as a vocal defender of the weak who spoke his mind without fear and showed deep compassion for his constituents.
Governors, MPs and hundreds of residents flocked the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue in Eldoret, where the bodies of Ngeno and five other victims were taken following a helicopter crash in Nandi county on Saturday evening.
Governors Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok), Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu), Stephen Sang (Nandi) and Wesley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet were among those who were at the morgue to receive the bodies.
Also present were Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, Kesses MP Julius Ruto and Nominated MP Joseph Wainaina.
Hospital management said the bodies were burned beyond recognition.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Philip Kirwa said none of the victims could be visually identified due to the severity of the burns.
“The bodies are in a very bad state and cannot be viewed at the moment,” Kirwa said. He said specialists would first conduct forensic procedures before any viewing could be allowed.
A sombre mood engulfed the morgue as the bodies, wrapped in body bags, were transported in a police Land Rover escorted by ambulances and rescue vehicles.
Cherargei, who was among the first leaders to arrive at the crash scene, described what he witnessed as heartbreaking.
“I could only imagine the pain Ngeno and his team went through. It is very sad,” he said.
Governor Sang said preliminary reports indicate the helicopter hit two trees shortly after take-off.
“It appears the weather was bad. The chopper had earlier made an emergency landing and attempted to take off again when the accident happened,” Sang said.
He said authorities will investigate the cause of the crash.
Leaders praised residents of the area for responding swiftly despite the difficult terrain.
“It is quite a hard-to-access area, but locals tried to put out the fire using soil as the chopper burned,” Sang said.
Ngeno was widely known for his support of artists and youth programmes across the region. Leaders noted that he was returning from supporting a local artist when the crash occurred.
“We have lost a great leader,” Governor Bii said.
Ngeno’s political profile had grown significantly in recent years, with many viewing him as a potential kingpin of the Kalenjin community.
