Gachagua Raises Fuel Questions Over Helicopter Crash That Killed Ng’eno

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that irregularities in the refuelling of the helicopter that crashed and killed former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno may have contributed to the accident.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Gachagua said intelligence reports indicated that the helicopter was refuelled at Eldoret Airstrip with fuel transported from Lodwar. He claimed Kenya Revenue Authority officials intercepted a vehicle suspected of carrying jet fuel to the airfield, but that the driver was released following instructions from Nairobi.

Gachagua said the circumstances raised questions about whether the quality of the fuel affected the helicopter’s ability to gain altitude before the crash. Ng’eno and five others died on 28 February 2026 when the helicopter crashed in Chepkiep, Mosop, Nandi County, amid poor visibility.

Official records from the Ministry of Roads and Transport show that the aircraft made an emergency landing at Tabolwa at 4.20pm. The occupants briefly interacted with local residents before attempting to take off again about five minutes later. Contact with the helicopter was lost almost immediately after the take-off.

The flight had also included a stop at Endebess, where Ng’eno attended a public function, followed by a refuelling stop at Eldoret Airstrip. The refuelling is now a key focus of Gachagua’s claims.

Gachagua has called on the Kenya Airports Authority to release CCTV footage from Eldoret Airstrip to establish what happened during the refuelling. His remarks are likely to increase pressure on investigators to examine the fuel supply chain alongside the weather conditions at the time of the crash.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), meanwhile, has rejected a number of allegations made by Gachagua, including claims of abductions, police brutality and politically motivated interference. In a strongly worded statement, the DCI described the allegations as “ridiculous” and “ill-intended”, saying its operations are based on evidence and the law rather than political considerations.

The agency cited progress in several high-profile investigations in support of its position. It confirmed the arrest and arraignment of two suspects over the murder of Reverend Julius Ndumia Ngari in Nakuru. It also said four armed gang members were fatally shot during an intelligence-led operation linked to the case.

The DCI said investigators had also made progress in the investigation into the killing of Dr Victoria Nthunya Mutiso. In Cheptais, detectives arrested a suspect accused of murdering businessman Nathan Masai Wasama earlier this month.

The agency criticised efforts to politicise criminal investigations, saying the use of the deaths of public figures or private citizens for partisan purposes could undermine grieving families and public confidence. It reiterated that no individual is above the law and urged anyone with credible information to submit it through official channels rather than through the media.