Carlos Robert Kipng’etich Keter, the teacher who was killed in the Nandi helicopter crash on February 28,2026.
Carlos Robert Kipng’etich Keter, the teacher who was killed in the helicopter crash that also claimed the life of Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ng’eno, had not earned his first salary since being employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Keter was also in the process of formalising his relationship with a woman he has been living with and with whom he has a child.
The Nation has learnt that until recently, Keter worked as a teacher at Kaplong Girls High School in Sotik, Bomet County, where he was employed by the board of management.
“It is true, after many years of waiting, Keter had secured a job with the TSC. He died before he could taste his first salary,” Mr John Keter, a family member, revealed.
According to him, the teacher, a resident of Changina Village in Emurua Dikirr Constituency, was elated by the appointment and was in the process of settling his family when the plane mishap occurred, shattering his dreams.
A scene where a chopper crashed at Chepkiep Village in Mosop sub-County of Nandi on February 28, 2026, where six occupants died on the spot.
“He was also in the process of settling down and formalising his relationship with the mother of his daughter,” he added.
A month ago, Keter received his employment letter from the TSC and was waiting to be deployed when the disaster struck on Saturday. Days before he perished in the chopper crash, the MP had congratulated him on securing employment with the TSC.
Ahead of the 2022 General Election, Keter was a fierce critic of Ng’eno, before the two reconciled and became friends. Until their death, they were often seen in functions together, especially during weekends and holidays.
“Keter had declared his interest to contest against Ng’eno in the run-up to the 2022 General Election, but dropped out on April 14, 2022, days before the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party primaries,” revealed Ms Naom Lang’at, a resident of Emurua Dikirr.
Nandi chopper crash victims Col (Rtd) Captain George Were (left), Journalist Nick Kosgei, Protocol Officer at Narok County Government Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono, Kenya Forest Service Ranger Amos Rotich and Teacher Carlos Kipng'etich Keter.
“It is unfortunate that Keter, who was a trained teacher, died in the helicopter crash before he earned a salary from the commission,” Mr Willy Korir, the executive secretary of the Kilgoris branch of the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), said.
Mr Malel Lang’at, the Knut first national vice-chairman, said it was unfortunate that six lives had been lost in the crash, plunging the country into mourning.
“Ng’eno was passionate about education and empowerment and consulted widely on issues affecting the sector. A month ago when he invited Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, Narok branch secretary Charles Ng’eno and me to his office in Parliament, he shared his vision about education at the local and national level,” Mr Lang’at said.
A scene where a chopper crashed at Chepkiep Village in Mosop Sub-County of Nandi County on February 28, 2026, where six occupants died on the spot. MP Johana N'geno (inset) was one of the chopper passengers.
“As a matter of fact, he criticised trade unions for failing to take on the government for some of the actions which, in his view, affected workers in the country. Here is a man who was chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Housing, yet he criticised the same administration he served without flinching,” he added.
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