The political landscape of Narok County recently lost one of its dedicated figures following the tragic death of former Emurua Dikirr MP, Johana Ngeno, in a plane crash in Nandi County.
His personal assistant, GK Kechwo, took to Facebook to recount a defining moment that showcased Ngeno’s foresight and influence in shaping county politics.
According to Kechwo, it was one night in 2015 when Ngeno, then travelling towards the Mara with his PA Kiprono Torongei, made an unplanned stop at Junction—Kechwo’s home area.
There, he met with Weldon Araap Rop and the late Kiptoo Korir. It was during this meeting that Ngeno shared his ambitions for the future leadership of Narok County, revealing the strategic thinking that would mark his career.
“He told us, ‘There is a man called Patrick Ntutu, MP for Narok West. I am trying to convince him to run for Governor. If he agrees, he can be the best,’” Kechwo recalled.
Ngeno’s prediction would eventually come true. Patrick Ntutu first ran for the governor’s seat in 2017 but did not succeed. Undeterred, he contested again in 2022, this time emerging victorious.
At the time, Ngeno and a group of young leaders known as the “Muthaiga 5”—comprising Ngong, Korei Lemein, Moitalel Ole Kenta, Patrick Ole Ntutu, and Stephen Ole Ntutu—were gaining prominence for their activism.
They had previously been detained at Muthaiga police station for leading demonstrations against then-Governor Tunai.
Over time, however, the group’s unity fractured: Lemein returned to Tunai’s camp, Kenta aligned with Musuni, while Ngeno and Patrick Ntutu remained close allies.
Ngeno’s ties to the Ntutu family deepened both politically and personally. In 2018, he married the daughter of Governor Ntutu’s brother, cementing a bond that extended beyond political strategy into family ties.
Kechwo noted that the loyalty between Ngeno and Patrick Ntutu endured, with Senator Ntutu even relinquishing his seat to support his brother’s ambitions.
The recollections paint a picture of Ngeno not only as a politician but also as a mentor and strategist whose guidance shaped the careers of others in Narok politics.
His vision, coupled with steadfast alliances, left an indelible mark on the county’s political history—a legacy now remembered with both sorrow and admiration.