Ngetich Launches Fresh Attack on Gachagua Over Ngeno’s Death, Warns Against Politicising Tragedy

Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has strongly condemned what he described as the alleged politicisation of the death of former Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johanna Ng’eno, accusing former Deputy President and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua of using the tragedy to advance his political agenda.

Ngetich, speaking on behalf of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy Eldoret, said the death of a prominent political figure should be treated as a moment of mourning and reflection rather than an opportunity for political mobilisation, speculation or the spread of unverified information.

He said the death of Ng’eno had left a painful void among his family, friends, political supporters, the Kipsigis community and Kenyans who knew him as a respected political leader.

According to Ngetich, Ng’eno’s children, widow, elderly mother and other relatives should be allowed sufficient time to grieve without being subjected to political controversies surrounding the circumstances of his death.

Ngetich accused Gachagua of allegedly exploiting the death of prominent personalities and national tragedies to push political narratives, saying such actions could deepen divisions and create unnecessary tension within communities.

He called on political leaders to exercise restraint when commenting on sensitive matters involving deaths, particularly before official investigations have established the facts.

“Death is a painful occurrence that has robbed many families and our nation of some of the most loved and needed personalities. Death can occur to anyone, whether mighty or meek, through natural causes, sickness, accidents or assassinations. No one is immune to death,” Ngetich said.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding Ng’eno’s death should be left to competent investigative agencies and that members of the public should rely on verified information from the government, investigators or the deceased’s family.

Ngetich warned that speculation surrounding the death of a prominent political figure could have far-reaching consequences, including creating public panic, triggering social unrest and fuelling political confusion.

He claimed that continued speculation could also create unnecessary suspicion and tension within the Kalenjin community, particularly at a time when political temperatures are already rising ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The activist appealed to the Kipsigis community and the wider Kalenjin community to remain calm and avoid being drawn into what he described as political confrontations arising from the death of Ng’eno.

Ngetich Defends Kenyan Investigators

Ngetich also defended Kenya’s security and investigative agencies against criticism over their ability to investigate high-profile deaths.

He said Kenya has trained investigators and forensic experts capable of handling complex cases and urged political leaders to have confidence in local institutions.

He specifically defended the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), saying its officers receive specialised training both locally and internationally.

According to Ngetich, Kenya also has forensic investigative capabilities that should be given an opportunity to establish the truth before politicians or other individuals make conclusions about a case.

He criticised what he described as attempts to undermine Kenyan investigators by suggesting that foreign investigative agencies would be more capable of handling sensitive cases.

Ngetich argued that the involvement of foreign investigators should only be considered through the proper legal and governmental channels if there is a legitimate reason to do so.

He challenged Gachagua to present any information he claims to possess regarding Ng’eno’s death to the DCI rather than making public statements that could fuel speculation.

“If Gachagua is not playing politics, let him demonstrate patriotism and genuineness by handing over the information he has relating to the death of Ngeno to the DCI and the relevant parliamentary committees for investigation,” Ngetich said.

He said anyone with credible information about the circumstances surrounding the death had a responsibility to provide it to investigators so that it could be independently verified.

Calls for Evidence Instead of Speculation

Ngetich further argued that genuine concerns about the circumstances surrounding a death should be supported by evidence and presented through established investigative and legal processes.

He said public statements without supporting evidence could create fear and uncertainty, particularly among communities emotionally affected by the death of a respected leader.

He maintained that the public should be given accurate information through official channels and warned that rumours can spread rapidly through social media and political platforms, making it difficult to separate facts from speculation.

“Official verified communication from government or family sources is vital to prevent misinformation during sensitive times,” he said.

Ngetich further claimed that political exploitation of the tragedy could potentially create divisions within the Kalenjin community, urging residents not to allow political differences to interfere with their relationship as a community.

He appealed to the family of the late Ng’eno, his friends, the Kipsigis community and the wider Kalenjin community to remain peaceful as investigations and other official processes continue.

Challenge Over Historical Political Deaths

In a wider challenge to Gachagua, Ngetich questioned whether calls for external investigations should be selectively applied.

He argued that if there are genuine concerns about historical political deaths in Kenya, the same principle should be applied consistently.

He cited historical cases involving personalities such as Tom Mboya, J.M. Kariuki, Pio Gama Pinto and Argwings-Kodhek, as well as the Kisumu killings, saying such cases also remain part of Kenya’s historical conversation on political violence and accountability.

Ngetich challenged Gachagua to support broader calls for truth and justice in historical cases rather than focusing only on recent political tragedies.

He said Kenya must develop a culture where allegations concerning deaths and political violence are subjected to proper investigations rather than becoming tools for political mobilisation.

Appeal to Government

The human rights activist also called on the government to take measures to prevent what he described as propaganda, incitement and ethnic profiling from escalating political tensions.

He said leaders have a responsibility to promote peace and national cohesion, particularly when emotions are high following the death of a public figure.

Ngetich warned that irresponsible political statements can easily be interpreted differently by members of the public and may create unnecessary confrontations.

He urged security agencies to monitor inflammatory rhetoric while respecting constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and political participation.

The Centre for Human Rights and Democracy Eldoret maintained that the priority at the moment should be allowing the family of the late Ng’eno to mourn with dignity while competent authorities establish the facts surrounding his death.

Ngetich said the country should avoid turning the tragedy into another political battlefield and instead focus on truth, justice, accountability and national unity.

He concluded by urging Kenyans to remain calm, reject unverified information and allow investigators to carry out their mandate.

The remarks come amid heightened political activity in the country as politicians and political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders increasingly using public platforms to mobilise their supporters and articulate competing political narratives.

Ngetich said political competition should not come at the expense of peace, human dignity or the right of grieving families to mourn their loved ones without additional political pressure.