- The former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has offered heartfelt condolences to the late Member of Parliament for Johana Ng’eno, while also strongly criticizing what he called hypocritical mourning
- Ng’eno died along with five other people after the Eurocopter AS350 helicopter with registration number 5Y-DSB crashed shortly after take off from Tabolwa Airstrip
- In his message, Gachagua praised the MP as a brave defender of the Kipsigis community who remained steadfast in fighting for the interests of his people
- However, the former deputy president said that he will not attend the funeral saying that his positions cannot allow him to sit with “some” people
The former Deputy President Gachagua offered emotional condolences but also harsh criticism for the late Member of Parliament for Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Johana Ng’eno.
Source: Facebook
He mourned the member of parliament as a brave defender of his community while condemning the people he called hypocrites who are mourning now even though they tortured him when he was alive.
Ng’eno died along with five other people on Saturday when a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter crashed shortly after take off from Tabolwa Airstrip.
The Member of Parliament had spent the day traveling in Narok County, Trans Nzoia County and Uasin Gishu Countyparticipating in social activities including efforts to rescue flood victims.
Those who lost their lives in the accident included George Were who was piloting the plane, forester Amos Kimwetich Rotich, MP’s photographer Nicholas Kosgei, teacher Robert Kipkoech Keter and protocol officer of Narok CountyWycliffe Kiprotich Rono.
An autopsy conducted by state pathologist Johansen Oduor confirmed that all six victims died from multiple severe injuries and severe burns caused by the accident.
How did Gachagua praise Ng’eno?
In a long statement before Ng’eno’s funeral scheduled for Friday, March 6, Gachagua remembered the MP as a close partner and political advisor who stood firm to defend the interests of the Kipsigis community.
He described him as a courageous and focused leader whose death has deprived Kenya and the Kipsigis community of an important voice dedicated to defending its people.
“It hurts to write these greetings to the great leader of our time, my best friend, mentor and political colleague, Mr. Ng’eno. Death has robbed the people of Kenya and the brave community of Kipsigis, a brave, courageous, focused, intelligent and selfless leader who gave everything to his people,” he said.
The former deputy president, who is often criticized for defending the interests of the region Mount Kenya Region, said Ng’eno taught him the importance of openly defending the interests of one’s community without shame.
He said the MP remained firm even when he received harsh criticism.
According to Gachagua, Ng’eno had been advocating for a long time the problems of the Kipsigis community, which he said is a hardworking community but has been neglected for decades despite living in an area with fertile land and good rainfall.
He added that the community has faced many challenges over the years, including the lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water.
“Ngong, you are the one who taught me not to be ashamed to defend the interests of the community and your people; who has no origin? You remained strong and steadfast in fighting for the interests of the Kipsigis community, a community that works hard but has been neglected for decades,” he said.
Why did Gachagua not attend Ng’eno’s funeral?
Gachagua also revealed that Ng’eno often told him about the sadness of his community which he believed had been denied opportunities to serve the nation despite having many educated professionals.
He also claimed that the member of parliament was humiliated and isolated in political circles for standing firm to defend his community.
He said he intervened several times to protect him from political abuse.
He also remembered helping Ng’eno when there were allegations of conspiracies to prevent him from becoming the chairman of the National Assembly Committee for the Department of Housing.
Source: Facebook
Despite his respectful condolences, Gachagua used the opportunity to criticize the people he accused of torturing Ng’eno while he was alive but now mourn in public.
“I am disgusted by the hypocrisy of those who tortured you. I have seen those who hunted you like gazelles now shedding crocodile tears and pretending to mourn your death,” he said
He added that he will not attend the funeral because he cannot sit with those he claims tortured the MP.
“I would like to come and bury you but my foundations cannot allow me to sit with those who tortured and persecuted you while you were alive while they pretend to love you after your death… rest in peace my friend, the hero of our time until we meet again,” he added.
Gachagua also sent his condolences to the Ng’eno family, the residents of Emurua Dikirr Constituency and the Kipsigis community, saying his death is a big blow politically and personally.
Gachagua asks for a thorough investigation to be carried out
As previously reported, the former deputy president said Ng’eno was his close friend and described him as a courageous leader.
He recalled that the member of parliament faced threats during the political upheaval surrounding the motion to remove him from power, but said their friendship continued until his death.
The leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the accident.
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