Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu has disclosed that he was nearly aboard the helicopter that later crashed in Nandi County, killing Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno and five others.
Speaking during a requiem mass at the African Gospel Church in Karen, Ntutu narrated how a routine phone call with the late legislator almost changed the course of events. According to the governor, Ng’eno had planned to travel to Nandi and invited him to join in distributing bursary cheques to needy students in Kapsasain Ward later that day.
At the time, Ntutu said he was in Maji Moto, Narosura, a considerable distance away. Ng’eno assured him that distance would not be a problem, offering to send a helicopter to pick him up.
“I told him I was very far, at a place called Maji Moto, Narosura. Then he laughed and told me, ‘Governor, I have a chopper. I can pick you and then you can join me later.’ Little did I know that was the last day I would talk to my friend and son-in-law,” Ntutu said.
The helicopter later went down on February 28 in the Chepkiep area of Mosop Constituency, Nandi County. Those who lost their lives alongside Ng’eno were Captain George Were, Wycliff Kiprotich, Robert Keter, Nicholas Koskei and Amos Rotich.
The memorial service drew several national leaders, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, as well as family members and close associates.
Ntutu described the tragedy as a deeply personal loss. Ng’eno’s wife, Nayianoi Ntutu, is from the prominent Ntutu family and is the daughter of businessman Livingstone Ole Ntutu, who is related to the Narok governor.