A devastating helicopter crash in Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County, on the evening of Saturday, 28 February 2026, has claimed the lives of six people, including Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno.
The aircraft, a Eurocopter AS350 helicopter (registration 5Y-DSB), went down near the edge of Chepkieb Forest shortly after attempting to take off from a makeshift landing spot at about 4.45pm, according to eyewitnesses and authorities. Witnesses described heavy rain and poor visibility in the area before the crash, with the helicopter making an earlier emergency landing as weather conditions worsened.
The chopper reportedly burst into flames on impact, killing all six people on board instantly. Residents rushed to the site in a desperate attempt to help, but the intensity of the fire and the extent of the wreckage left no survivors. Authorities later confirmed that the victims included the pilot and five passengers.
By early Sunday, the charred remains of the six victims had been transported to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue in Eldoret County. Dr. Philip Kirwa, CEO of MTRH, confirmed that the bodies were badly burnt, making visual identification impossible at this stage and urging relatives to exercise patience as forensic teams prepare the remains for formal identification.
Leaders from across the North Rift region and neighboring counties gathered at the morgue, mourning the victims and calling for calm as investigations into the cause of the crash continued.
The loss of MP Johana Ng’eno, a prominent legislator, has deeply shocked the nation. President William Ruto eulogised Ng’eno as a dedicated leader who championed justice and development, particularly for his constituents in Narok County. Deputy President Kindiki also expressed condolences, remembering Ng’eno as a trusted friend and committed servant of the people.
Regional governors, including Uasin Gishu’s Jonathan Bii, Elgeyo Marakwet’s Wesley Rotich, and Nandi’s Stephen Sang, have also sent messages of sympathy to the bereaved families. Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei urged the public to avoid speculation and allow investigators to establish the cause of the crash.
Officials have launched a formal investigation into the incident, with the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) initiating procedures to determine the sequence of events that led to the tragic crash. Preliminary observations indicate that poor weather conditions may have played a significant role, but authorities are expected to release further findings once the inquiry progresses.
As families await closure and identification results, the nation mourns the abrupt loss of six lives in one of the most tragic aviation accidents in recent memory.
