Why Johana Ng’eno’s Widow Is Asking Residents Not to Vote for Gachagua’s Candidate
The widow of late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno has appealed to constituents to remain loyal to the ruling UDA party ahead of the highly watched May 14 by-election.
She accused Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP camp of lacking compassion, claiming news of Ng’eno’s death was made public by him before the family had officially been informed
Speaking emotionally at her home in Narok County, Naiyanoi Ntutu said residents should reject the candidate linked to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and instead support the party her husband belonged to until his death.
What Did Gachagua’s Camp Do That Angered the Family?
"I have called you today because I want to talk to you as my fellow mothers. We know mothers are the ones holding this constituency. Our constituency is still young, and it is Johana Ng’eno who created it for us. I think we are losing direction, but I want to talk to you and you will make your own choice. I don’t have a problem with the other party (DCP), nor its candidate. I have a problem with its leader,"
Naiyanoi claimed she was deeply hurt by how information surrounding her husband’s death spread online before the family had officially received confirmation.
She recalled how Gachagua anounced the death of her husband on a public rally yet her family was not informed
How Did Naiyanoi Ntutu Learn About Johana Ng’eno’s Death?
Naiyanoi revealed that she first learned about her husband’s death through public statements made by the DCP leader, a moment she said caused immense pain to her and her children.
She criticised the manner in which the information was shared, arguing that leaders should show empathy and sensitivity when dealing with families facing tragedy. According to her, the incident changed how she views Gachagua’s leadership and handling of sensitive matters.
Speaking she said;
"The day Johana died, the man stood on a car top to announce our leader had died. I had just spoken to Johana before the announcement. I was in the house waiting for my husband. I then logged onto Facebook and saw his sentiments; was that right? Johana was our leader, and then someone rushes to Facebook to announce he is dead, while his family doesn’t know. I was with the children; I couldn’t cry. I removed the children from the house, and then I went ahead to call my husband and his people, but I couldn’t find them," she said
She accused political leaders allied to Gachagua’s side of discussing the tragedy publicly while the family was still in shock and searching for answers. That experience, she said, left emotional wounds that made it difficult for her to support their political camp.She has urged her fellow constituents to vote for UDAs candidate
She also noted that Gachagua has never even ever helped or even visited Emur Dikir before the death of their MP
Her speaking
"I want to ask our mothers, what are you looking for in that man’s party? He wronged all of us. You hurt me when you associate with him. That was insensitive; he never thought about Johana’s children, yet he is a parent like me, only that my children are still young. Please stand behind me, because I am still this constituency’s mother. Johana left us in UDA, why should we go elsewhere, where he didn’t approve us to go? Promise me that you will remain in the party Johana left us in. That man has never come here," she said
Why Does Johana Ng’eno’s Wife Want Voters to Reject Gachagua’s Candidate?
According to Naiyanoi, the late Johana Ng’eno remained loyal to President William Ruto and the UDA party throughout his political career. She argued that supporting another political side would go against the legacy the late MP left behind.
She told supporters that the constituency should continue backing the government in order to protect development projects started during Ng’eno’s leadership.
The widow also urged women and youth in Emurua Dikirr to stand with her family during the difficult political transition following her husband’s death.
Who Are the Main Candidates in the Emurua Dikirr By-Election?
The by-election has attracted major political attention because it is being viewed as a battle between President William Ruto’s UDA party and Rigathi Gachagua’s DCP party.
The main candidates include:
David Keter — the UDA candidate who won the party nomination after a competitive primary election.
Vincent Rotich — the DCP candidate endorsed by Rigathi Gachagua to challenge UDA in the constituency.
Other smaller parties are also expected to participate, but the main contest is largely seen as a direct showdown between UDA and DCP.
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How UDA Nominations Played Out
UDA nominations in Emurua Dikirr attracted several aspirants hoping to replace the late MP. The exercise became highly competitive because many leaders wanted to inherit Johana Ng’eno’s political influence in the constituency.
Businessman David Keter eventually emerged victorious in the UDA primaries, defeating close rivals in a tightly contested race.
The by-election is now being closely monitored across Kenya because it could reveal whether Rift Valley voters are still firmly behind UDA or whether Gachagua’s new DCP movement is gaining ground in the region.
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