How Ng'eno left mark on Rift Valley music

On the misty slopes of Mount Elgon, grief hangs heavy in the air at a modest mud-walled home in Labot village. Inside, veteran Elgon Maasai musician Hillary Chemos sits quietly, his guitar untouched, replaying what was meant to be the proudest day of his 35-year musical career. Instead, it has become a painful memory.

What began as a colourful celebration of Chemos’s musical journey ended in tragedy following the death of Emurua Dikirr MP Johanna Ng’eno, who was killed in a helicopter crash in Chepkiep, Nandi County, shortly after hosting a fundraiser to support Chemos’s music career on Saturday afternoon.

For Chemos, the loss is deeply personal. “He told me that whenever he had heavy thoughts, he would play my song ‘Kimkim’. It soothed him, and he would soon sleep. It became his lullaby. That showed me how much he loved my music,” Chemos said.

Those present said Ng’eno spent much of his address urging artists to shift their hopes beyond him and towards President William Ruto. “He told us, ‘Do not even look up to me that much now. Look up to the President. He understands your fate and will support you.’ I do not know whether it was a premonition. It felt like he was bidding us goodbye,” Chemos recalled.

Ng’eno had built strong bonds with artists from the Kalenjin community in Kenya and Uganda. His close ties with musicians earned him popularity and boosted his political influence. He frequently travelled by helicopter to remote villages in Bomet, West Pokot, Nandi, Mount Elgon in Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, and the Sebei sub-region in Uganda, spearheading empowerment initiatives and attending music events.

These events often attracted large crowds and gradually evolved into political gatherings, fuelling debates over who would emerge as the next political heavyweight from the Rift Valley after President William Ruto.

Ng’eno also mobilised political leaders to raise millions of shillings to support talent development. Musicians from the region described him as their de facto patron. He hosted an annual Kalenjin Music Awards ceremony in Eldoret on December 13, where musicians, content creators and masters of ceremony were recognised and rewarded.

Kalenjin musicians, including Joshua Kendagor Limo and Mr Israel, also known as Young Man, said they have been left devastated by the MP’s death. They said they would honour him with songs during his burial. “It is difficult for us as artists to accept that a politician who was like our father has died. We are orphans. We have seen him rise and support us, and to us, a hero has fallen,” Kendagor said.

Israel said artists would stage a candle-lighting ceremony in Eldoret City in honour of the late MP. Hilary Kiplimo, a disc jockey and master of ceremonies popularly known as MC Hilarious, had expected Ng’eno to be the chief guest at his 15th anniversary in entertainment scheduled for March 21 in Kapkoros, Marakwet West, Elgeyo Marakwet County. He said news of Ng’eno’s death in the crash hit him like a thunderbolt. “What is this now? Our patron, my chief guest for the 15th anniversary, is no more,” he said.

Soti Sanaiya, who hosted Ng’eno in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, in October last year, said: “You wanted us to do better as artists, to be respected, own houses, drive nice cars and have businesses.”

Ng’eno’s influence also extended to supporting young talent. Among those whose lives he touched were Hosea Kibet and Elias Kiptoo, members of the Poyon Comedians, and young rapper Elvis Karl. Hosea and Elias are in Grade 7 at Nasokol Primary School, while Elvis is in Form Two at Kamito Boys Secondary School. All three come from modest backgrounds and balanced their talent with financial hardship. “These boys must go to a good school. Talent alone is not enough,” he said.

He later confirmed the commitment announced on a Facebook post that the boys had been admitted as boarders at Nasokol Primary School, with school fees fully paid and personal shopping provided. “When talent is nurtured through education, mentorship and opportunity, it becomes a powerful catalyst for positive social change,” Ng’eno wrote.

Ng’eno’s support extended beyond his constituency. Artists from South Rift to North Rift and across the border into Uganda’s Sebei region benefited from his mentorship. Pokot Boy recalled that Ng’eno once assisted a reformed bandit-turned-singer, Arap Tudoreng, in Sigor Constituency. “He quickly agreed to help and fulfilled his promise. Ng’eno never discriminated against artists. He wanted to unite us,” he said, adding, “We feel like orphans now. He was a father, a leader and a unifying figure. But his laughter, belief in us and the opportunities he created will live through every artist who dares to dream.”

Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii said Ng’eno spent his final years organising empowerment events for artists across the Rift Valley.

Reports by Martin Ndiema, Stephen Rutto and Kipsang Joseph