Investigators have completed retrieving all crucial evidence from the site of the Youth Aviation helicopter crash in Nandi County that claimed the lives of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno, four of his aides, and the pilot on Saturday, February 28.
A multi-agency team, including homicide detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and aviation experts, spent Monday combing the wreckage, collecting flight instruments and technical components described as a “black box” equivalent.
These items are expected to provide insights into the helicopter’s final flight.
The wreckage, registered as 5Y-DSB, has now been transported to Nairobi for in-depth forensic and technical analysis. Some components will also be sent abroad for specialist metallurgical testing and detailed data recovery.
Nandi County Criminal Investigations Officer Peter Ochieng confirmed that an inquest has been opened and urged the public to avoid speculation while emphasizing that a comprehensive report will be ready within 30 days.
“We are committed to revealing every piece of information necessary to determine the cause of this accident. A full report will be ready within 30 days,” Ochieng said as quoted by the Daily Nation.
“We have collected all necessary samples. The scene has been fully cleared, and the debris will be transported to secure aviation facilities in Nairobi for detailed forensic examination. We are moving into the next stage, which involves examining every piece of recovered evidence in detail. The process is thorough and professional, and a comprehensive report will be ready within 30 days,” he added.
Meanwhile, Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu unveiled a joint funeral programme for the late MP and four others who perished alongside him, assuring the public that the county government will fully cater to all burial expenses.
The programme is described as a unified tribute to leaders and professionals who “stood together in life”.
The memorial begins today (Wednesday), March 4, with a church mass at Africa Gospel Church (AGC) in Karen, Nairobi, where family, friends, leaders, and members of the public are expected to gather.
On Thursday, March 5, in keeping with Kipsigis customs, the bodies of Ngeno and his aide Wycliffe Rono will be transported to their rural homes for an overnight vigil.
The same day, the bodies of Carlos Keter, Nick Kosgey, and Amos Kipngetich will depart Nairobi after a requiem mass at Emurua Dikirr Primary School, allowing the public to pay their last respects.
The final rite will take place on Friday, March 6, when all five bodies will converge at Emurua Dikirr Primary School for a joint ceremony attended by national and county leaders.
Following the symbolic event, each family will proceed to conduct burials at their respective homes.
Governor Ntutu emphasized that all arrangements have been coordinated to ensure dignity and proper preservation at Lee Funeral Home.
The five victims, including pilot George Were, lost their lives after the helicopter crashed at Chepkieb in Nandi County while returning from an event in Endebess, Trans Nzoia County.
