Former Deputy President and DCP leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has publicly explained why he will not attend the burial of the late Emurua Dikirr MP, Johana Ng’eno, describing the decision as one of principle.
In a heartfelt tribute, Gachagua remembered Ng’eno as a committed and fearless leader who championed the interests of the Kipsigis community.
He described his late colleague as “brave, courageous, focused, brilliant, and selfless,” noting that Ng’eno dedicated his life to advocating for a community long marginalized despite its productive lands and educated youth.
Gachagua said he often witnessed Ng’eno face exclusion and humiliation, citing instances where the MP was denied access to State House and blocked from political positions by what he termed “power brokers, strongmen, mafia, and pretenders to the throne.”
The former Deputy President recounted intervening on several occasions to protect Ng’eno from further political isolation, including efforts to secure his position as Chairman of the Departmental Committee on Housing.
While acknowledging the deep loss to the Kipsigis community and the people of Emurua Dikirr constituency, Gachagua explained that he could not, in good conscience, join the burial alongside those who persecuted Ng’eno during his life.
“I would have wanted to come and bury you, but my principles can’t allow me to sit with those who tormented and persecuted you in life as they pretend to love you in death,” he said.
In his tribute, Gachagua also expressed condolences to Ng’eno’s young family, praying for comfort and fortitude as they come to terms with his untimely passing.
He described the late MP as a “kingpin” for the Kipsigis community, lamenting the void left by his death and urging God to provide the community with another leader of equal courage and vision.
Ng’eno’s death has been widely mourned across political and social circles, with many praising his commitment to public service and advocacy for marginalized communities.
Gachagua’s tribute highlighted both the late MP’s achievements and the challenges he faced in his political career, offering a perspective that combines personal loss with broader community impact.
The former Deputy President concluded his tribute with a final message to his late friend: “Rest well, Johana Ng’eno, the hero of our time, until we meet again.”