Former aide to the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, GK Kechwo, has weighed in on Rigathi Gachagua’s claims surrounding the helicopter crash that killed the former legislator, saying he remains torn between an accident, possible foul play and what he described as the spiritual dimension of Ng’eno’s life.
Kechwo said reopening the circumstances surrounding Ng’eno’s death had brought back painful memories for those who worked closely with him, adding that he was personally unsure which version of events to believe.
“It is sad that we are reopening the wounds concerning the unfortunate death of Hon Ngong Ngeno Ole Kisiara. Personally I don't know who to believe,” Kechwo said.
He acknowledged that the weather was bad on the day of the crash, noting that the helicopter had initially been forced to make an emergency landing.
For that reason, Kechwo said he had initially accepted that the incident was an accident.
“For sure the weather was bad, that explains why they first had to make an emergency landing. Upto that point I believe it was an accident,” he said.
However, Kechwo said events and conversations involving Ng’eno before his death had left him with lingering questions.
According to the former aide, Ng’eno had spoken about his death in what appeared at the time to be political metaphors.
Kechwo recalled a conversation shortly before the former MP’s death in which Ng’eno allegedly told his close associates that he would soon be “busy up there” and questioned how they would relate with Governor Patrick Ntutu in his absence.
Kechwo said those around Ng’eno interpreted the remarks as referring to his anticipated rise to national politics. He now views the conversation differently following the MP’s death.
“To us, ‘up there’ was national politics. It later turned out that it was not,” Kechwo said, adding that the experience had strengthened his belief that Ng’eno’s death had a spiritual dimension.
Kechwo also acknowledged the possibility of assassination, saying it would be difficult to conclusively confirm or dismiss such a theory.
He described Ng’eno as a politician who had many enemies both inside and outside government and claimed that his close associates had long been conscious of potential threats against him.
Kechwo recalled another incident when he, Ezra Kipkirui Sawe and Ng’eno were travelling in a helicopter over Nandi Hills. He said the aircraft shook while flying over the hills, frightening him and Sawe.
According to Kechwo, he whispered to Sawe: “Do you know whom we are travelling with?” He said Ng’eno, who had headphones on, appeared to hear the exchange and looked back before smiling.
Kechwo further questioned the speed with which Ng’eno was buried and the subsequent preparations for the Emurua Dikirr by-election.
“The speed in which he was buried was alarming,” he said, questioning how quickly the electoral process was initiated after the funeral.
He ultimately said he remained conflicted over the competing explanations surrounding Ng’eno’s death.
“I am so confused. All versions to me tend to make sense,” Kechwo said.