Kenyan MP Johana Ng’eno Killed in Helicopter Crash in Nandi County
Six people died after aircraft struck a tree and burst into flames in western Kenya
A Kenyan member of parliament has been killed in a helicopter crash in western Kenya, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Johana Ng'eno was among six people who died when an AS350 helicopter went down in Mosop, in Nandi County, before bursting into flames.
According to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), the aircraft — registered as 5Y-DSB — crashed at around 4:30 PM local time. It had been flying from Endebes to Mosoriot when the accident occurred in the Mosop area of Nandi Hills.
All six people on board were killed. The aviation authority said formal confirmation of the victims’ identities would follow once families had been notified.
Local media reported that Ng’eno, who represented the Emurua Dikirr constituency, had been returning from an event in the South Rift region. He had earlier visited families affected by flooding in Mara Rianta.
Preliminary reports suggest the helicopter encountered heavy rainfall, prompting a brief landing. After taking off again, it reportedly struck a tree before crashing and catching fire.
Those killed included the pilot, a Kenya Forest Service ranger, the MP’s camera operator and a protocol official from the Narok County government.
Kenyan President William Ruto said he had received the news with “profound shock and deep sadness.” In a statement posted on X, he described Ng’eno as “focused, vocal and fearless; a leader who stood firmly for justice and equity for all.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends, the people of Emurua Dikirr, and all the victims and families affected by the helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County,” the president added.
An investigation into the cause of the crash is expected to begin as authorities work to determine the exact sequence of events leading up to the tragedy.