Kipchumba Murkomen has spoken publicly about his connection to the late Johana Ng’eno, following controversial remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua suggesting his involvement in the tragic helicopter crash that claimed Ng’eno’s life.
Speaking to the press on Sunday, March 1, after receiving the remains of Ng’eno and other victims in Nairobi, Murkomen conveyed deep sorrow and highlighted his personal ties with the deceased MP.
Murkomen said, “Personally, I knew three of the past members in a personal way. The Honourable Johanna Ngeno, the pilot George Were, and Carlos Keteru were also my friends, and I just feel very sad to lose friends and to lose people that we have worked with before, and we feel really, really, really pained by this event.”
He described Ng’eno as a heroic and decisive leader, courageous and deeply committed to his work: “Honourable Ngeno, who is a hero to many, who was a leader, who was decisive, courageous, he was passionate in the work he did. He defended his constituents with passion, with commitment. He feared none. He collaborated with many. He brushed shoulders with others just to make sure that the job he was doing was done very well.”
The Interior Cabinet Secretary highlighted the government’s support for the families of the deceased and the residents of Emurua Dikirr and Narok, assuring that logistical and security assistance will be provided as the official investigation continues.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Department, operating under the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority with international oversight, is leading the probe into the crash.
Murkomen stated that the global civil aviation community is awaiting the investigation’s findings, and Kenyans should follow suit.
Meanwhile, while campaigning on March 1, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called for Murkomen to step aside to ensure a fair and transparent investigation into the crash that claimed the lives of Ng’eno, pilot George Were, Carlos Keteru, and three others.
According to Gachagua, there was tension between the late Ng’eno and Murkomen.
“He had been under a lot of siege from Murkomen and Cheruiyot trying to suppress his ambition to be the leader of the Kipsigis community,” Gachagua stated. “Any time a leader has emerged to lead, the community has faced challenges. We don’t want to say anything, but we want to call for thorough investigations for truth to be known.”
Gachagua added, “As we call for investigations, I must say that Kipchumba Murkomen cannot be CS Interior, and the family of Ng’eno and the Kipsigis community and other Kenyans expect fair and transparent investigations because Kipchumba Murkomen has been fighting Ng’eno… We want to ask President William Ruto to ask Kipchumba Murkomen to step aside to allow for thorough investigations into the air crash.”
Gachagua also claimed that he met Ng’eno in a hotel in Kisumu before he was impeached and alleged that the National Intelligence Service had bugged the room, recording his conversation with Ng’eno on instructions from William Ruto.
