MP Johana Ng'eno Among Six Others Feared Dead After Tragic Helicopter Crash in Nandi County

Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Kipyegon Ng’eno is feared dead following a tragic helicopter crash in Mosop, Nandi County, on Saturday evening, February 28, 2026.

The helicopter reportedly went down in Chepkiep area before bursting into flames, killing all six people believed to have been on board. Authorities are still working to formally confirm the identities of the victims.

Personal Items Recovered at the Scene

Sources close to investigators say a mobile phone and SIM card suspected to belong to the MP were recovered from the wreckage.

Similar personal items linked to Amos Kipngetich Rotich, an officer with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), were also reportedly found at the crash site.

Investigators are using photos of four passengers who were seated behind the pilot during the flight to assist in identifying the remaining victims. Images taken before takeoff are being compared with those recovered after the crash.

As of Saturday night, neither the police nor the National Assembly had issued an official statement confirming the MP’s death.

Experienced Lawmaker

Ng’eno was first elected as MP in 2013 and successfully defended his seat in the 2017 and 2022 General Elections.

He currently serves as Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works in the National Assembly. In recent weeks, he had been leading discussions on the 2026 Budget Policy Statement and conducting oversight visits to Affordable Housing projects.

In his role as committee chairperson, he is also a member of the Liaison Committee, which coordinates the work of parliamentary committees. Over the years, he has also served in the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs and the Public Investments Committee (PIC).

What Happened Before the Crash?

The helicopter, registration number 5Y-DSB, is said to have attempted an emergency landing in Mosop due to bad weather at around 4:45pm.

After conditions improved, the aircraft reportedly attempted to take off again but crashed moments later and caught fire.

Data from Flightradar24 indicates that the aircraft was an Airbus Helicopters H125 model. The helicopter is recorded to have departed Nairobi at 11:02am earlier that day. However, public tracking data does not clearly indicate when it landed at its destination.

Flight history also shows the aircraft had made other trips earlier in February, including a February 22 flight from an undisclosed location and another journey on February 21 from Nairobi to Wilson Airport.

Investigations Underway

Authorities are expected to begin a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash, with weather conditions likely to form part of the inquiry.

More details are expected as official statements are released.