Lessons from Late Hon. Ng'eno on how Politicians should Relate with the Masses

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Photo/Source: The late Hon. Johana Ng'eno. 


By Thomas Chemelil

When news of the passing on of the late Emurua Dikirr legislator filtered in, there was an unprecedented outpouring of emotion around the country and particularly in the Rift Valley region. Thousands of people poured into the streets of Eldoret, Kericho, Iten, Bomet, and other areas to express their grief over the sudden demise of the fiery legislator from Emurua Dikirr.

This unprecedented show of love for a politician came as a surprise to all and sundry, including the political class. Yet, those who knew Ng'eno were not surprised owing to their knowledge of his nature. 

To start with, the late Hon. Ng'eno was a resolute leader who rarely compromised his stand, particularly when defending the people of Emurua Dikirr. He took his enemies, who included Presidents, past and present, with unmatched gusto when he felt that the interests of Mau people had been compromised. He would often be heard telling others that "even your father oppressed us, but we are still alive".


Such fiery rhetoric endeared him to the masses who fell in love with his fearless approach to issues, even when his personal security was at stake. While still alive, Hon. Ng'ong, as he was popularly known, recounted how on numerous occasions he was harassed by state agencies when he defended the people of Mau.

These acts of self-sacrifice endeared him to the people. The pain of his loss saw an outpouring of raw emotion with many holding candle-lighting vigils in major towns like Eldoret, Kericho, Kapsabet, Iten and even Kapkatet.

Hon. Johana Ng'eno equally interacted with the common people with ease. His daliance with Kalenjin artists and musicians earned him the title of Patron. Even president Ruto acknowledged during his requiem mass that the late Hon. Ng'ong Johana had unmatched passion for music. He recalled a day when the late legislator asked him to give him ksh. 30,000,000 to support musicians! On asking him where he expected him to get such collasal money on short notice, Ngeno replied, "Bo ng'oo emeet?" (Who is in charge of the country?). President Ruto had no option but to source for the funds.

Such passion for life and Kalenjin music endeared him to the Kalenjin nation. The joy that radiated from his heart permeated to the masses who did not hesitate to love him back. 

Again, Hon. Ng'eno was a loving father, husband, brother, neighbour, clansman and a proud Kalenjin. Yet he still had a warm heart to embrace his Maa neighbours in Emurua Dikirr. This motivated his marrying a member of the Ntutu family, thus cementing his ties with the Maa people.

Ng'eno also kept his friends and did not mind their political affiliation. Hon. Oscar Sudi from Kapseret was one such great friend to the family of the late legislator. Hon. Sudi once joked that he forced Ng'ong to marry and even paid his bride price! Such was the close relationship between the two. 

Ng'ong Johana Ng'eno will forever offer lessons to our political class on how to win the love of the masses. He will forever leave a lasting mark in our political and social spheres.

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