NAROK, Kenya — The mother of the late Johanna Ng’eno on Friday delivered an emotional tribute during his funeral, recounting the final moments they shared before the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Johanna Ng’eno and five others.
Speaking before thousands of mourners gathered for the burial of Johanna Ng’eno, Mama Mary revealed that her son had visited her home shortly before the flight and asked her to pray for him and the country.
“I was praying for him just like I always do. As I was finishing the prayer, the helicopter that had come to pick him arrived,” she told mourners.
She recalled that the approaching aircraft briefly interrupted the prayer, prompting a brief exchange between mother and son.
“I asked him, ‘So when you asked me to pray, the helicopter was already coming? It has interrupted our prayer.’ He told me, ‘Yes, it was already on its way, but it is good because God has heard our prayer,’” she said.
Mary said she reassured her son that the noise would not prevent the prayer from reaching God.
“I told him God has heard it even with the noise because after all, I was praying to God, not to human beings,” she added.
Reflecting on the encounter, she said she never imagined the prayer would become their final moment together.
The account drew visible emotion from mourners attending the burial service in Emurua Dikirr, where family members, residents, and national leaders gathered to honour the fallen legislator.
The tragedy occurred on February 28 in Nandi County when the helicopter carrying the MP and several aides crashed while returning from an event in Endebess.
In her tribute, Mary also made a direct appeal to William Ruto, urging the president to ensure that her son’s parliamentary seat remains within the family.
“My son educated many children and helped many people. I want someone to continue with that work,” she said.
She went further to suggest that the leadership position should remain among her children.
“I will give you all my children, and you will choose whom you want to give the seat. The seat should not go out of our family,” she said.
The funeral service attracted thousands of residents and political leaders from across the country, including William Ruto, who joined mourners in paying tribute to the late legislator.
Speakers at the ceremony described Johanna Ng’eno as a vocal defender of his constituents and a grassroots mobiliser whose leadership resonated strongly with residents of the South Rift.
His death has left a leadership vacuum in Emurua Dikirr Constituency and triggered discussions about succession ahead of a possible by-election.
