More than 94 Members of Parliament drawn from both Houses turned up to pay their final respects to the late Emurua Dikirr MP, Hon. Johana Ng’eno, during his burial ceremony.
The MPs, led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Masika Wetang’ula, joined family members, constituents, other leaders and friends in mourning Hon. Ng’eno and four others who lost their lives in a chopper crash in Mosop Constituency.
Addressing the mourners, Speaker Wetang’ula remembered Hon. Ng’eno as a selfless and dedicated leader who will be fondly remembered by Parliament.
“Parliament has lost one of its finest. In the House, he never lacked respect. We stand here today to mourn our hero and others who were with him,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker expressed condolences to the bereaved families, constituents and friends, acknowledging the magnitude of the loss.
“I understand that you have lost a great man, one who stood as the first and last line of defence for your interests,” he added.
Speaker Wetang’ula urged mourners to find comfort in the Lord, noting that life and death are in God’s hands.
“God gives and takes away. His will cannot be questioned. He knows the plans for everyone, including our brother,” he added.
The Speaker also expressed empathy for the late MP’s staff, assuring them that he would consider their appeal to complete their employment term despite the demise of Hon. Ng’eno.
“I will look into the plea by Hon. Ng’eno’s staff to the best of my ability. We will see what we can do,” he said.
Speaker Wetang’ula also thanked members of the Ad Hoc Parliamentary Funeral Planning Committee for their support in ensuring the burial arrangements were well coordinated.
The Leader of the Majority Party in the National Assembly, Hon. Kimani Ichung’wah, also paid tribute to Hon. Ng’eno, remembering him as a strong advocate of the government’s Housing agenda.
“Hon. Ng’eno stood on the front line to ensure that this administration delivers on its promises. The Committee on Housing, Urban Planning and Public Works could not have had a better leader than Ng’eno,” said Hon. Ichung’wah.
He also recalled their long-standing working relationship, which dates back to their service in the Public Accounts Committee during the 11th Parliament.
“I share a history with Hon. Ng’eno. Immediately after we were elected in 2013, we served together in the Public Accounts Committee,” he reminisced.
Hon. Ng’eno will be fondly remembered both in the political arena and for his service to the community.
By Anthony Solly
