A tragic aviation accident on February 28, 2026 claimed the life of Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ngeno and five others when their helicopter crashed shortly after losing contact with air traffic control in Mosop Constituency, Nandi County, Kenya.
Final Flight Path: Multiple Stops Before the Crash
According to the Ministry of Roads and Transport, the helicopter — registered 5Y-DSB — departed Wilson Airport in Nairobi at 11:04 a.m. on Saturday. It made several planned stopovers throughout the day before the fatal final leg:
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11:55 a.m.: Landed at Ngeno’s home area in Emurua Dikirr.
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12:20 p.m.: Departed for Mara Rianta.
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12:29 p.m.: Landed at Mara Rianta, where the MP joined local rescue efforts.
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2:07 p.m.: After other stops, it landed at Endebess and then Eldoret Airstrip.
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4:20 p.m.: Final landing at Tabolwa.
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4:25 p.m.: Took off from Tabolwa, disappearing from radar just one minute later.
Air traffic controllers lost contact shortly after that last departure, and efforts to reach the aircraft failed, leading authorities to confirm the crash.
Who Perished in the Crash
All six people on board died in the crash. Confirmed victims include:
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Hon. Johana Ngeno – MP for Emurua Dikirr
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Captain George Were – Pilot
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Amos Kipngetich Rotich – Forester
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Nick Koskei – Photographer
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Other staff members traveling with the MP
The remains were later transferred to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi as family, colleagues, and officials prepared for identification and post-mortem procedures.
What Officials Are Saying
Following the tragedy, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir assured the public that a formal investigation is underway. The Aircraft Accident Investigations Department (AAID) is collecting evidence from the crash site, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation as technical and environmental factors are evaluated.
Broader Response and Condolences
Kenyan leaders and public figures have expressed deep sorrow over the incident. National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula pledged full support for the bereaved families and ensured all necessary resources would be provided during this difficult time.
Why This Tragedy Matters
This crash has sparked conversations about aviation safety and emergency response in Kenya. With multiple stopovers before the final flight, questions remain about weather conditions — including reports of heavy rainfall and strong winds in Nandi County — and whether they contributed to the loss of control and subsequent crash.
As investigations continue, officials stress that facts must come before speculation, and updates will be released with full transparency once available.
Key Takeaways
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Helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County on Feb. 28, 2026, claimed six lives including MP Johana Ngeno.
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Aircraft disappeared from radar shortly after last takeoff from Tabolwa.
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Official investigations led by AAID are ongoing with a preliminary report due in about 30 days.
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The tragedy has drawn national grief and calls for transparent inquiry.
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