Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, former Rift Valley regional commissioner, has described the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno as a formidable political figure whose influence extended beyond Narok County. Ngeno perished in a plane crash last Saturday alongside five others.
Speaking to a local publication, Governor Natembeya recalled Ngeno as a man whose presence demanded attention from the security apparatus.
“He was a gentleman, but when the interests of his community were threatened, he was a time bomb. That is why security concentrated too much on his political character, arresting him once in a while to tame him, some other times to save him against threats he attracted to himself through his utterances and deeds,” Natembeya said.
According to the governor, Ngeno’s leadership went beyond local politics. He played a key role in fostering peace in Narok County and maintained diplomatic relations with leaders in neighbouring communities, particularly among the Kalenjin and Maasai.
“We needed him to win peace in Narok County. He was a nationalist, yes, when it served right, but a determined regionalist when circumstances demanded,” Natembeya noted.
He further described Ngeno as a critical voice in addressing security concerns for communities perceived as outsiders in the Rift Valley, especially people from the Mt Kenya region who often feel vulnerable during election periods.
“Mr Ngeno was a critical voice in discussions about how Rift Valley could be made more secure for people of outer origin, especially those from Mt Kenya who feel uneasy in every electoral cycle,” Natembeya said.
The governor concluded by acknowledging Ngeno’s commitment to bridging ethnic divides, emphasizing his support for Mt Kenya communities living in the Rift Valley. “I can tell you for free that Mr Ngeno was a friend of Mt Kenya people in the Rift Valley,” he cryptically remarked.
Ngeno’s death has left a vacuum in the political and social landscape of Narok County. Leaders and constituents alike have paid tribute to his role as a peacebuilder and advocate for regional cooperation, remembering him as a leader who balanced assertive advocacy for his community with diplomacy across ethnic lines.
His burial is expected to draw leaders and residents from across the Rift Valley, reflecting the reach and impact of his political career.