Oburu condemns attempts to link foul play to Johanna Ng’eno’s death
By Mabonga Makhanu, March 4, 2026Orange Democratic Movement party leader and Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has faulted a section of leaders who have been linking the death of the late Emurua Dikir MP Johanna Ng’eno to foul play.
Speaking during the requiem mass of the late legislator held at the AGC Church in Karen on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Oburu condemned the claims, stating that Ng’eno died like any other Kenyan and that there was no basis for insinuations of foul play.
He maintained that some leaders have little to offer the country and instead choose to politicise every unfortunate incident for their own relevance.
“I know politicians who have very little agenda who want to read malice in the death of MP Johana Ng’eno; don’t do that. He has died, like everyone else can die,” Oburu stated.
Gachagua calls for investigation
Ng’eno’s death has sent shockwaves across the political landscape, with political leaders reacting differently to the death of the lawmaker who was serving his third term.
The first high-profile leader to raise concerns about possible foul play in the plane crash that claimed Ng’eno’s life and that of five others was former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“Tumepata habari ya kwamba mjumbe wa Emurua Dikirr, pale Kipsigis, Johana Ngeno, ameaga dunia, kwa ajali ya helikopter,” he said.
“Sisi tunataka kujua uchunguzi kamili, kwa sababu tunajua huyu kiongozi amekuwa na pingamizi kali pale kwa Kipsigis kwa sababu amekuwa kingpin ya Wakipsigis. We want to call for a very thorough investigation into the helicopter crash that has killed the honourable Johana Ngeno.”
Sossion’s reactions
Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has also hit out at a section of leaders within the United Opposition who have cited foul play in the plane crash that claimed the life Ng’eno.
Speaking during an interview with Herman Manyora on his podcast on Monday, March 2, 2026, the outspoken leader strongly dismissed the claims, saying those raising them were attempting to drive mischief, but their narrative had not been accepted by the Kalenjin community, from which Ng’eno hailed.
Sossion further stated that Ng’eno should be left to be mourned in peace by his family, his people, and the entire Kalenjin community.
“They are driving mischief, and that message has not been accepted entirely by the Kalenjin community. Leave the Kalenjin people to mourn Ngeno in peace. The cause of death, we know, is a helicopter crash and piloting through bad weather; that is what we know. Let us wait for the final investigation.”
He added that before investigations into the crash begin, the current understanding is that the aircraft was flying through bad weather, which he said reflects the prevailing position within the Kalenjin community as they await the outcome of official investigations into Ng’eno’s death.