Kenya Defence Forces helicopter crashed on Thursday afternoon at Kaben area in Elgeyo Marakwet county leaving several officers dead among them the military chief General Francis Ogolla.
Other officers who were in the company of Ogolla when the tragic accident struck them include Col Duncan Keitany, Brig Swaleh Saidi, Lt Col David Sawe, Capt Sorah Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinywa Mureithi, Sergent Cliffonce Omondi, Sergent Rose Nyawira and finally Major George Benson Magondu who was the pilot.
Following Ogolla’s death President Ruto said in a press that our country has lost one of the most important generals. Rutto eulogized Ogolla saying that his death is a tragic loss to him.
Rutto therefore ordered three consecutive days of mourning starting on the 19th in honor of our fallen soldiers.
“In honor of the life and the distinguished military career of the fallen General, who lost his life not just while in office but on active military duty, the nation will observe three consecutive days of mourning starting on April 19th, 2024.”
Ogolla boarded the Kenya Air Force Helicopter left Nairobi early Thursday and headed to the North Rift region of Kenya. The military chief together with his team were on a trip to visit and inspect the troops deployed in the area to manage cattle rustling and later on check the renovation of several schools.
Among the schools Ogolla was to inspect included Chesitet , Chepoton,Ksaa Sablimoi primary schools as well as Cheptulel Boys High School,
“As part of his working tour, the Chief Defence Forces had been briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitetin Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, where he addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational successes,” Ruto said.
The aircraft came down just minutes after taking leaving Cheptulel Boys School in West Pokot County.
The CDF was heading to a Training school in Uasin Gishu County where he was to inspect the progress of the ongoing construction of the facilities at the said institution.
Ruto said they had already sent an investigation team to clearly determine the cause of the tragic crash.
The late Ogola joined the military in the year 1984 where he trained with the USAir Force as a fighter pilot. General became the head of the Kenyan Air Force before being appointed the deputy military chief and later he became the head of the military.
President Ruto appointed Ogola to the General despite the differences they had. Ruto said that he saw the potential in Ogala and not their differences which prompted him to appoint him to be the chief military.
