Ruto Honors Late MP Ng’eno Amid Housing and Resettlement Plans
Politics Updated: 06 March 2026 17:47 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto presiding over the burial ceremony of the late Emurua Dikiir MP Johanna Ngeno
President William Samoei Ruto presided over the burial service of the late Johana Ng’eno, former Member of Parliament for Emurua Dikirr, at Emurua Dikirr Primary School in Narok County on Friday, March 6. The ceremony drew national leaders, county officials, community members, and families of the deceased following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed Ng’eno and five others last week.
In remarks delivered during the service, President Ruto announced a major policy move to resettle 12,000 families currently living in tents in the Mau Forest, saying funding will be allocated for this purpose in the national budget and that resettlement is expected to take place between July and August.
The Head of State framed the resettlement plan as part of his government’s broader commitment to addressing protracted land and displacement issues, aligning this initiative with the legacy of the late MP, whom he described as a champion of development for marginalised communities.
President Ruto also directed the Ministry of Lands to purchase 1,500 acres of disputed land in Angata Barikoi, Narok County, with the aim of settling squatters who have been embroiled in a long‑running and sometimes violent land ownership dispute, signalling a push to bring stability to the region.
The government’s intended purchase is expected to help resolve tensions and provide land titles to those who have lived in uncertainty for years, a move Ruto said would honour longstanding calls for fairness and a durable settlement.
In a separate announcement, Ruto confirmed that Shauri Moyo Affordable Housing Estate in Nairobi will be renamed Johana Ng’eno Boma Yangu Estate as a tribute to the late MP’s role in the affordable housing programme.
The renaming directive, issued during the funeral service, reflects the government’s intent to memorialise Ng’eno’s contributions as the chairman of the National Assembly’s Housing Committee, which Ruto said was instrumental in advancing the housing agenda.
Shauri Moyo, one of Nairobi’s key affordable housing developments with thousands of units, forms part of the Boma Yangu Affordable Housing initiative, a flagship programme aimed at expanding access to decent homes for low‑ and middle‑income Kenyans.
Ruto highlighted Ng’eno’s leadership in steering the housing initiative through resistance and court challenges, crediting his determination with ensuring progress on the programme that had stalled in earlier years.
The President further noted that Ng’eno’s legacy would be preserved not only through the renaming but also through the continued rollout of housing projects across the country under the government’s social housing plans.
During the service, Ruto also announced financial support for families of the chopper crash victims, allocating Sh8 million to immediate needs, with each of the four families set to receive Sh2 million ahead of a comprehensive needs assessment.
Ruto indicated additional support measures, including employment opportunities and educational assistance for relatives of the deceased, aiming to ease the burden on those left behind.
The burial ceremony served as both a local and national focal point, drawing figures from government, parliament, and civil society, united in their tributes to the late MP’s service and the policy announcements framed around his vision.
Local leaders at the event echoed the President’s sentiments, underscoring Ng’eno’s dedication to his constituents and his role in promoting infrastructure and welfare projects in Emurua Dikirr.
While addressing the gathering, President Ruto appealed for unity and perseverance in completing the housing projects and resolving land disputes that have affected citizens’ livelihoods for years.
The announcements made today are likely to shape discourse on resettlement, land rights, and housing policy in the run‑up to the 2027 general election season, with the administration signalling its policy priorities through both symbolic gestures and material commitments.
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FELIX MAKONA
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