As investigations continue into the helicopter crash that claimed six lives in Nandi County, colleagues are sharing personal memories of those who perished alongside Johana Ngeno.
Among the victims was Nick Kosgei, a young videographer attached to the Emurua Dikirr legislator.
Standard journalist Francis Ontomwa has now opened up about his friendship with Kosgei and the moment he realised his colleague may have been among those on board.
“When news began to spread of a chopper crash involving Emurua Dikirr legislator Johana Ng’eno on Saturday evening, my heart sank,” Ontomwa wrote.
He said his immediate reaction was to call Kosgei to verify the reports. However, he hesitated, struck by the possibility that his friend could have been travelling with the MP.
“At this point, news channels were still reporting that the identities of the other occupants had not been confirmed. I said a quiet prayer for Nick, hoping that he was safe and somewhere far from that crash. But far from it,” he stated.
Kosgei was later confirmed dead, sending shockwaves through sections of the media fraternity and political circles in the Rift Valley.
Ontomwa recalled meeting Kosgei about three years ago during a transitional phase in his own career.
He had just secured a correspondent role with the now-defunct Voice of America after leaving the BBC and was assembling a broadcasting kit for freelance assignments.
Their paths crossed at a popular electronics shop in Parklands, Nairobi.
“That is where I first met Nick Kosgei,” Ontomwa said.
He described Kosgei as amiable, soft-spoken and meticulous. For nearly three hours, Kosgei carefully examined different video cameras, comparing features and specifications with the focus of an experienced professional.
During that afternoon, Kosgei shared that he was working with MP Ng’eno and had been tasked with acquiring quality filming equipment to support the lawmaker’s media advocacy campaigns.
At the time, he had barely graduated from Maseno University.
Ontomwa said he was struck by how early Kosgei had secured such an opportunity in his career.
When asked how he managed it, Kosgei offered a simple answer: “Bro, it’s just God.”
He added that he wanted to remain close to the MP because he saw a future in the role and hoped to sharpen his journalism skills while building a name for himself.
As tributes continue to pour in, Ontomwa said he will remember Kosgei as a focused and faith-driven young professional whose ambitions were cut short in a tragedy that has left both Parliament and the media industry in mourning.