The death and burial of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno has sparked renewed debate about relations between two major communities in the South Rift, with Nairobi politician Alinur Mohamed claiming the tragedy has exposed long-standing tensions between the Kipsigis and the Nandi.
Ngeno, who represented Emurua Dikirr constituency in Narok County, died on Saturday, February 28 after a plane crash in Mosop, Nandi County.
He was buried on Friday in a ceremony attended by political leaders, family members, and residents from across the region.
In a statement following the burial, Mohamed said the aftermath of the MP’s death had revealed deeper divisions between the two communities, both of which are part of the wider Kalenjin ethnic group.
According to Mohamed, discussions emerging after the tragedy have highlighted grievances among members of the Kipsigis community, who he claimed feel sidelined in matters of development and political representation despite their population size.
“The death of the Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ngeno has exposed the tension, hate, inequality, division and competition between the Kipsigis community and the Nandi community,” Mohamed said.
He argued that some members of the Kipsigis community believe they have not benefited equally from government development projects and leadership opportunities, a perception he said continues to fuel competition between the two groups.
“The Kipsigis, despite being the majority, feel discriminated and left out when it comes to development and representation,” Mohamed added.
His remarks come amid increased political discussion in the Rift Valley following Ngeno’s death, with leaders and commentators reflecting on the region’s political dynamics and community relations.
Mohamed also pointed to President William Ruto’s family background, noting that the head of state has ties to both communities.
“If you didn’t know, President William Ruto comes from both communities. The mother to Ruto is a Nandi while the father is a Kipsigis,” he said.
Political observers note that while the Kipsigis and Nandi communities have historically shared cultural and political ties, competition over resources, political influence, and regional development has occasionally triggered debate within the broader Kalenjin region.
Ngeno’s death has therefore not only left a political gap in Emurua Dikirr but has also reignited wider conversations about representation, unity, and development within the South Rift.