SIELE: MP Ngeno: Voice silenced too soon, fought for the people

Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno. He was likeable, truthful, humorous and deeply committed to justice /FILE 

I first met the Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno (killed in a helicopter crash alongside six others) in 2008, shortly after the general election in which he had contested in Kilgoris constituency.

At the time, former ODM leader Raila Odinga had appointed him, through the then Minister for Agriculture, to serve as a director at the Agricultural Development Corporation.

Interestingly, he had initially been offered another position which he declined on principle because it did not align with his beliefs.

My admiration for him grew the following year during a teachers’ fundraiser organised by the Kenya National Union of Teachers Kipkelion branch in 2009.

When he rose to speak, Ngeno made it clear that he would not worship anyone except the Almighty God. The statement did not sit well with some in the audience and he was briefly shouted down. Yet he remained calm and firm, continuing with his speech.

Within minutes, the jeers turned into cheers as the crowd warmed to his courage and conviction. That moment revealed a man who stood firmly by his principles regardless of the pressure around him.

At the time, I was working as a human rights activist and researcher with the Centre for Law and Research International. Our paths crossed again at the funeral of a mutual friend in Labotiet, on the border of Bomet and Narok counties.

During that gathering, Ngeno spoke passionately about the plight of his people. His speech was deeply emotional, moving many to tears as he described the suffering communities were enduring under the watch of the government at the time. Yet even as he narrated the hardships, he assured those present that the suffering would one day come to an end.

He was convinced that his opportunity to serve as a leader would come, and indeed it did, three years later, when he was elected member of Parliament for Emurua Dikirr constituency.

Before that victory, we had also met in Nakuru where we were involved in discussions on the creation of additional constituencies in Kericho, Bomet and Narok regions.

I was advocating for the division of the larger Kipkelion constituency, while Ngeno was pushing for the carving out of a new constituency from the expansive Kilgoris constituency. These discussions reflected his deep interest in ensuring better representation and development for his people.

Ngeno’s loyalty to friends and colleagues was evident in many ways. When I lost my mother, he travelled a long distance to personally console me.

His presence spoke volumes about his character. In fact, some notable leaders from my county stayed away from the funeral because they feared that Ngeno’s presence would overshadow them at a time when debates about regional political kingpins were ongoing.

In 2016, during the Kericho senatorial by-election, I worked closely with him while serving as the coordinator of Kanu in the larger Kipkelion area.

Ngeno’s speeches were powerful and deeply engaging, helping the party’s candidate secure a significant number of votes. He had a unique ability to connect with voters and communicate with clarity and humour. His signature laughter was infectious and often lit up even the most tense political gatherings.

Even in recent years, he remained committed to community issues. Last year, he asked to meet elders from Kipkelion East and West constituencies to discuss several matters affecting the region.

One of his main concerns was the delayed establishment of a national referral hospital in Londiani. He felt the project had taken far too long and warned that some leaders were quietly lobbying for the facility to be relocated elsewhere, which he believed would be unfair to residents of the larger Kipkelion area.

He also championed the idea of establishing a museum at Tulwap Kipsigis, a site of immense historical and cultural significance. He envisioned bringing together elders and leaders from all Kalenjin communities to meet at the site and celebrate their shared heritage.

Ngeno was passionate about his people and their future. He was likeable, truthful, humorous and deeply committed to justice. Those who interacted with him remember not just his political courage but also his humanity and warmth.

His voice may have gone silent, but his spirit and dedication to his community will continue to inspire many.

Siele is a lawyer, governance expert and commissioner at Kericho county assembly