Former minister Kipng’eno arap Ng’eny to be cremated

Former Water minister Kipng’eno arap Ng’eny. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ng’eny was plucked out of the public service and pushed into politics by President Moi
  • He held numerous positions in and out of government

Former Water minister Kipng’eno arap Ng’eny will be cremated at a private ceremony in keeping with his wishes.

His funeral mass will be held at the Consolata Catholic Shrine in Narobi’s Westlands on Saturday after which his body will be cremated.

Mr Ng’eny died on Tuesday at the Nairobi Hospital where he was receiving treatment.

He was born in 1937 in Sigowet/Soin Constituency in Kericho County.

He was an engineer by profession and was a former MP for Ainamoi Constituency. He served as a minister in President Daniel arap Moi’s regime.

Leaders on Thursday continued to send their condolences to his family.

Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony said the county had lost a hero and a leader who was always accessible and worked for the good of his constituents and the people of Kenya.

“As managing director of the (defunct) Kenya Posts and Telecommunication Corporation, Ng’eny created thousands of jobs for our people and as MP for Ainamoi, he initiated projects which are still useful 20 years down the line,” he said.

Former Roads minister Franklin Bett remembered Mr Ng’eny as a tireless and reliable public servant.

Mr Bett said he worked with the former minister under President Moi’s regime and termed his demise as a huge loss to the country. He said Ng’eny’s shoes would be difficult to fill.

“My friend Ng’eny was always coming up with new ideas on how to serve the people of Kenya better. He served the nation with zeal” he said.

PROJECTS

Mr Ng’eny is credited with starting numerous development projects, including the Soin Sugar Company Ltd in Sigowet/Soin Constituency, Kanga millers in Kapsoit town and several water projects in the entire South Rift region.

He was plucked out of the public service and pushed into politics by President Moi who was his close ally, which saw him elected as the MP for the newly created Ainamoi Constituency between 1997 and 2002.

Mr Ng’eny learned Russian at Moscow State University and then enrolled in the Moscow Institute of Civil Engineering in 1961 where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering.

In 1965, he attained a Masters of Science Degree in Civil and Industrial Engineering from the Odessa Institute of Civil Engineering in Ukraine.

His long career in public service started under President Jomo Kenyatta with his appointment in 1969 as the chief executive officer of the Kenya Industrial Estates, a position he held for eight years.

Mr Ng’eny was the boss at postal corporation from 1979 to 1993. He also held numerous positions in and out of government, including Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water and chairman of Armed Forces Review Board.