A tragic helicopter crash in the Chepkiep area of Mosop Constituency, Nandi County, on Saturday, February 28, claimed the lives of six people on board.
The aircraft reportedly made an emergency landing before bursting into flames at around 4.45 pm.
The incident involved an Airbus Helicopters H125, registered as 5Y-DSB, operated by Youth Aviation Helicopters, which departed Nairobi at 11:02 AM on February 28.
Operators of the Airbus Helicopters H125 Youth Aviation Ltd issued a statement stating that the aircraft was conducting a charter flight at the time of the incident.
According to the Youth Aviation Ltd, emergency response services were notified immediately, and they responded promptly.
Eyewitnesses said the plane was forced to stop following the ongoing heavy rainfall and bad weather.
However, after the rain stopped, the pilot attempted to continue the journey before crashing.
Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno, popularly known as Ngong, was identified among the six victims of the tragedy.
Commander Samuel Mukusi confirmed that Johana was among those on board and was confirmed dead.
Authorities recovered a mobile phone & SIM card belonging to Johana Ng’eno at the crash scene, as well as those belonging to Amos Rotich, who was also on board.
Also Read: Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno Kipyegon Dies
Victims of the Nandi Helicopter Tragedy
Among those who died alongside MP Johana was the pilot of the helicopter, George Were.
Amos Kipngetich Rotich, an officer with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and Nick Koskei, a journalist and photographer.
The identity of the other two remains unknown as the authorities continue with the investigations.
Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has appointed a team led by the Member for Julius Melly, assisted by Mugambi Rindikiri and eight other Members, to coordinate the funeral arrangements.
“On behalf of the House, the Parliamentary Service Commission, and on my own behalf, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the late Hon. Ng’eno and the families of the other passengers whose lives we have also lost,” Moses stated.
Operator of the Helicopter Involved in the Nandi Tragedy
The Airbus Helicopters H125 (registration 5Y-DSB was operated by Youth Aviation Ltd, a Nairobi-based private/charter aviation firm, at Wilson Airport.
The crash remains under investigation by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department (AAID).
Also Read: Six People Killed as Chopper Crashes in Mosop
Johana Ng’eno
Johana was born on December 12, 1972, and grew up in rural Narok County. He attended Mogondo Primary School before joining Maseno National School for secondary education.
Ngeno pursued a Bachelor of Arts in International Law abroad at Kyiv TSN University in Ukraine.
He furthered his studies with a Bachelor of Laws from Mount Kenya University and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
From 2008 to 2012, he served as Director at the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC).
Mp Johana was serving his third consecutive term in Parliament, having first been elected in 2013 and reelected in 2017 and 2022.
In September 2020, he was arrested and charged in connection with his statements during protests related to the Mau forest evictions and related disagreements.
He served as the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning, and Public Works and was a Member of the Liaison Committee.
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