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'We warned them about the rain': Villagers recount final moments before chopper crash
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargey (left), Tinderet MP Julius Melly (black cap), and other members of the public, at 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.
Preliminary police investigations indicate that the helicopter that crashed in Nandi County on Saturday was flying at an excessively low altitude when it struck trees, killing six people, including Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.
A joint team from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has launched an on-site probe into the tragedy.
Those killed in the crash were MP Johana Ng’eno, pilot George Were, Kenya Forest Service ranger Amos Kipngetich Rotich, journalist Nick Kosgei, teacher Robert Kipkoech Keter and Narok County government Protocol Officer Wycliffe Kiprotich Rono
On Sunday, March 1, investigators recovered critical equipment from the AS350 helicopter registration 5Y-DSB, marking a crucial step in piecing together its final moments.
The wreckage that was extensively damaged by fire was cordoned off, with forensic teams carefully retrieving flight instruments and other technical components that could help determine the cause of the crash.
Nandi County Police Chief Samuel Mukuusi confirmed that investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Department had recovered the helicopter’s black box and other vital equipment. These components will undergo forensic and mechanical analysis to establish whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or adverse weather contributed to the accident.
Eyewitnesses said the helicopter made an emergency landing at Chepkiep around 4.30 pm due to poor weather, including dense mist and rainfall.
The pilot reportedly consulted local residents for about ten minutes before attempting to resume the flight. According to villagers, the occupants appeared in a hurry, prompting the pilot to take off despite heavy mist and intermittent showers.
Mourners gather at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary precincts in Eldoret City on March 01, 2026, where the bodies of Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng'eno and five others who died in a helicopter crash in Chepkiep Village, Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County, on Saturday were kept.
Brian Kipkogei, one of the eyewitnesses, said the pilot of the ill-fated helicopter attempted to take off after curious villagers approached to see what was happening.
“The occupants kept making phone calls after the helicopter landed as the pilot assessed the weather. It remained airborne for only a few minutes before we saw it coming down,” Mr Kipkogei recounted.
Another witness, Thomas Tarus, also known as Mboya, a local teacher, said one of the passengers had opened a window after the emergency landing to inquire about the weather.
“All the occupants stayed inside the helicopter. One opened the window to ask where they were and when the rain would subside. The passenger seated next to the pilot was making phone calls and at one point even spoke with the pilot before they attempted to take off again, Mr Tarus said.
Mourners carry caskets at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary in Eldoret City on March 01, 2026. The bodies of Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng'eno and five others who died following a helicopter crash in Chepkiep Village, Mosop Sub-County, Nandi County, on Saturday were kept there. The bodies are expected to be airlifted to Nairobi.
He added that villagers had cautioned the crew about the area’s unusually heavy rainfall, noting it could last for a long time.
“The helicopter climbed to a higher altitude despite the dense mist and drizzle. It flew for only a few moments before we saw it making erratic turns as if it had developed a problem. It then made another emergency landing in the forest hitting trees before bursting into flames,” explained Mr Tarus.
He was among those who rushed to the scene in a desperate attempt to rescue the occupants as the helicopter was engulfed by fire.
The crash site, littered with twisted metal and shattered rotor blades, was secured to allow aviation investigators to map the debris field, document impact patterns and record statements from villagers and first responders.
The helicopter’s owners cooperated with investigators as security personnel maintained a tight perimeter to prevent interference. Officials noted that the extent of the damage and the fire has made reconstructing the sequence of events both challenging and crucial.
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo confirmed a multi-agency team had been deployed to determine the cause of the crash.
PS Omollo noted that preliminary findings suggest the crash was caused by adverse weather conditions. He urged the public to remain calm as authorities await a full report.
“As of now, we are waiting for an investigation report from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority,” he said, adding that the findings would be made public once the probe is complete.
In Eldoret, the bodies of the six victims, initially moved to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) morgue on Saturday night, were airlifted to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and transferred to Lee Funeral Home in Nairobi on Sunday afternoon.
Six caskets were loaded, and a convoy of hearses departed MTRH at 2 pm, escorted by political leaders, government officials, police and a large group of mourners.
Among those present were Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, Narok Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech, County Commander Benjamin Mwanthi, and MPs from the South and North Rift regions, including Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Soy MP David Kiplagat, Moiben MP Prof. Phyllis Bartoo, Kesses MP CPA Julius Ruto, Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Caroline Ngelechei, and others.
Earlier, Ng’eno’s family, MPs, police commanders, and government officials, including the Narok Deputy Governor, held a closed-door meeting at Boma Inn Hotel in Eldoret to coordinate arrangements.
Local leaders attributed the crash to poor weather conditions and urged strict adherence to aviation regulations.
“We are asking pilots and captains to stick to aviation rules to avoid such disasters,” said Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, describing the late MP as a strong believer in the rule of law who promoted development and nurtured local creative talent. Leaders paid tribute to Ng’eno as a progressive advocate of justice and Kalenjin culture.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and the five others who perished in the crash, and we urge the aviation department to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the actual cause of the disaster,” said MP Julius Melly, who was at the Chepkiep crash site.
Governor Sang cautioned against politicising the tragedy, noting that Ng’eno served his Emurua Dikirr constituents with dedication and courage.
“As we demand a thorough investigation into the crash, occupants should always follow pilots’ instructions, and pilots must be allowed to make professional decisions on when to take off,” he said.
Governor Bii praised Ng’eno as a committed leader who championed local talent, particularly in music, and prioritised the development of his constituency. Aldai MP Marianne Kitany described him as a leader who advocated for justice, especially regarding land matters in Mau and Angata.
“Investigators from the aviation department need to move swiftly to establish the cause of the crash,” she said, cautioning against speculation.
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Additional reporting by Mercy Mwende
