Secular Artists Mourn Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno

Kalenjin secular artists have joined leaders and residents in mourning the death of Johana Ngeno, the Member of Parliament for Emurua Dikirr, who perished in a tragic helicopter crash on Saturday.

Led by Kapkatet-based female artist Lorna Koech, popularly known as Swag Lady, the musicians described the news of Ngeno’s death as shocking and heartbreaking. Koech said the legislator had played a pivotal role in nurturing local talent across the Kalenjin community.

“We received the news with shock and disbelief. He has been very supportive of upcoming artists, comedians and online content creators,” she said.

According to the artists, Ngeno was instrumental in supporting the annual Kalenjin Music Festival, a platform that brings together performers from across the region. Through the festival, many budding musicians have been discovered and mentored, while established acts have received support to grow their brands.

Ngeno, also known as “Ngong’,” died alongside four other passengers and the pilot after a helicopter went down in Chepkieb area of Mosop, Nandi County. The crash has been linked to bad weather conditions.

The media fraternity has also mourned Nick Koskey, a journalist attached to the late MP, who was among those who perished in the ill-fated flight. Koskey, a native of Silibwet in Bomet County, had previously worked in the communications department of the county government and was described by colleagues as a promising media professional.

Ngeno was widely known for his vocal advocacy on the settlement of Mau Forest evictees and for pushing resolution of the long-standing dispute over 6,000 hectares of land in Ang’ata Barigoi — a conflict that has previously resulted in loss of lives.

Following the accident, the bodies were moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital before being transferred to Lee Funeral Home on Sunday on the orders of National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula.

Leaders, artists and residents have continued to send messages of condolence to Ngeno’s family and the people of Emurua Dikirr, describing his death as a significant loss to the region and the country at large.