Johana Ng'eno

Ng'eno provided school buses to multiple institutions and disbursing NG-CDF bursaries to students in need. In September 2020, he was arrested and charged in connection with his statements during protests related to Mau forest evictions and related disagreements. Authorities accused him of incitement. He was detained for about two days at the Nakuru Prison before being brought before a magistrate. The court granted him bond, requiring him to post Ksh2 million or alternatively Ksh1 million in cash, and ordered that he should refrain from making public comments that might incite violence or hatred. In early 2025, he purchased land and transferred title deeds to the family of the late Chumeek.^[3] On an interview in June 2025, Ng'eno said he was kidnapped inside a police station at night and was almost killed in a forest.^[4]

At around 4:45 p.m. on 28 February 2026, a Eurocopter AS350 Écureuil helicopter carrying him and five others en route from Wilson Airport in Nairobi struck trees while flying at low altitude during bad weather in Chepkiep, Mosop, Nandi County.^[5][6] All six occupants were killed and the helicopter was destroyed by fire.^[7][8] The victims were identified as Ng'eno, Amos Kipngetich Rotich, an officer from the Kenya Forest Service, Nick Kosgey, Ng'eno's personal photographer, Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono, a protocol officer, Robert Kipkoech Keter, a teacher and George Were, the pilot.^[9][10][11] The bodies were burnt beyond recognition.^[12] They were transported to a funeral home in Nairobi on 1 March.^[2] Leaders, including president William Ruto and politician Martha Karua, mourned Ng'eno.^[13][14][15] The flight recorder and other critical equipment were recovered from the site.^[5] A preliminary report is expected to be released in 30 days.^[16]

• 2012 Kenya Police helicopter crash