A Kenyan journalist recounted his meeting with the late Johana Ng’eno at the airport, where they engaged in a hearty conversation about their private health battles.
Levi Kones said he met Johanna Ngeno on November 27, 2019, at New Delhi airport while both were travelling to a hospital in India for cancer treatment.
He recalled that their journey had begun on the same flight from Kenya and that they struck up a conversation while waiting for a connecting flight in Abu Dhabi.
“We had just landed in New Delhi, India, on the same flight, unknowingly headed toward the same hospital, each of us quietly fighting the same battle: Cancer,” he said.
Johana Ng’eno Speaks Openly on His Cancer Fight
Kones stated that during their chat, they spoke openly about their illnesses, fears, treatment, and the will to live.
He said Johana Ngeno revealed he was also battling cancer, and the moment became a private and heartfelt exchange away from public life.
“When I mentioned that I had been unwell and told him about my challenge with colon cancer, something shifted in him. The walls came down. What had been rumor in public became reality in private. Away from the political noise and expectations, he told me he, too, was unwell. In that space at the terminal, we spoke honestly, heart to heart, about fear, hope, treatment, and the will to live. It was a sacred space, one that only those walking through fire together can truly understand,” Kones narrated.
Further, Kones added that his wife took a photograph, which he had shared on his post capturing the encounter, and the two exchanged contacts, encouraged one another, prayed, and both eventually overcame their illnesses.
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Kones noted that although they did not stay closely in touch afterwards, Ngeno would always acknowledge him when visiting KASS Media.
He expressed deep sorrow at Ng’eno’s passing in a recent plane tragedy and extended condolences to his family, friends, and constituents.
“My heart aches for his young family, for his friends, and for his relatives, friends and constituents who loved him … May God give comfort to his family,” the journalist mourned.
Ruto and MKU Mourn Ngeno’s Death
In a statement on February 28, Kenyan President William Ruto mourned the death of Emurua Dikirr, Member of Parliament, calling him a friend and devoted servant.
“My friend, Mheshimiwa Ng’eno, was a progressive and devoted servant of the people who worked tirelessly on behalf of the residents of Emurua Dikirr, Narok County,” he shared.
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“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,” Ruto mourned.
Mount Kenya University, on March 1, expressed heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and the nation following the helicopter accident that claimed the life of Johana Ng’eno.
The university said Johana Ng’eno was a graduate of the MKU School of Law, noting that his contributions to his community and the nation would be remembered with deep admiration and respect.
“On behalf of the Mount Kenya University fraternity, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and the entire nation of Kenya following the tragic loss resulting from the recent chopper accident,” MKU wrote.
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