The family of a budding photojournalist, Nick Kosgei, who died in a helicopter crash that claimed the life of Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno , has said that their hopes are shattered.
“He was our only hope. We believed our fortunes would change once he joined the MP’s team. But our hopes have been dashed. I usually follow my son on Facebook to keep track of his activities and work trips,” his father, Mzee Philip Kibet Kosgei, told journalists on Sunday.
Mr Kosgei said that he had seen posts about his son and the MP visiting Mara Rianta in Narok County on Saturday. Afterwards, the MP was scheduled to fly to Trans Nzoia County for a function.
Photojournalist Nick Kosgei.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai | Nation Media Group
“I saw videos of them landing in two different locations, then I lost touch with them for more than six hours. In the evening, I saw news alerts about a helicopter crash in Nandi County. I realised that they were involved,” he said.
The grieving father described how he slowly prepared his wife for the devastating news, after initially keeping it to himself.
“When Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok confirmed on his official page that Nick was among the dead, it hit me hard. My wife could not believe it. She broke down,” Mr Kosgei, who was speaking for the first time after the tragedy, said.
Apart from the MP and Nick, four other people died in the crash. Nick, who was attached to the MP’s office, perished alongside his boss, pilot George Were, Kenya Forest Service ranger Amos Kipng’etich Rotich, Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono, a protocol officer at Narok County government and teacher Carlos Keter.
Nick’s family said that they first learnt about his death through social media. The family members were preparing to travel to Nairobi to view his remains.
Speaking at their Kipkebe village homestead in Silibwet, Bomet Central Constituency, his parents said they were still struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
Mr Kosgei, who is also known as “Rambo,” and his wife, Mrs Martha Chelangat Kosgei, said they are still searching for answers regarding the crash that resulted in the death of their only son.
Mr Philip Kosgei (left), his wife Martha Chelang'at Kosgei (right) and family members speak to journalists at their Kipkebe home in Silibwet, Bomet Central constituency on March 1, 2026. Their son Nick Kosgei died in the Nandi chopper crash on February 28, 2026.
Photo credit: Vitalis Kimutai | Nation Media Group
“My son recently promised to pay school fees for his younger sister. Last week, he called and asked for the bank details to pay the outstanding Sh40,000 balance,” Mr Kosgei said tearfully.
Nick, a former student of Maseno University, had done an internship at the Bomet County Government in 2023 before joining MP Ng’eno’s office as a communications officer.
“Nick was a go-getter. He excelled in writing, bilingual reporting, editing, broadcasting and photography,” Bomet Governor Prof Hillary Barchok said.
His work quickly caught the attention of MP Ng’eno, who hired him as his photographer.
“Nick led a short but purposeful and impactful life. He was energetic, creative and dedicated,” Prof Barchok eulogised him.
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.
Photo credit: File, Jared Nyataya | Nation
Another victim of the crash, Carlos Keter, was a teacher who was employed two months ago by the Teachers Service Commission. He was still under probation and had not received his first salary. Previously, he had been a vocal critic of Ng’eno, but they became friends.
Kenya Forest Service ranger, Amos Rotich, a close friend of the MP, also died in the crash. He often travelled with the MP while off duty.
Narok County Government Protocol Officer Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono, who was recently employed in the communications department, also perished.
The family of pilot George Were, who died too, said that he was set to retire in September. Speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport yesterday while receiving his body, family members said they were devastated.
“It was something we least expected because in his career as a pilot, he had never been involved in an air accident. This is the first one and the last, and the most devastating,” his brother, Dr Francis Were said.
Meanwhile, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Transport CS David Chirchir said investigations have begun.
