By Our Reporter
General Francis Omondi Ogolla has died following a chopper crash Thursday afternoon in Sindar area, Elgeyo Marakwet.
While addressing the nation Thursday evening, President William Ruto noted that nine others have passed on while two are nursing injuries.
“Together with him in the crash were eleven other gallant military personnel, 9 who also passed on and two survivors,” noted President Ruto.
The military personnel who passed on along General Ogolla are: Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
The Head of State said the CDF had left Nairobi Thursday morning onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovations works in Chesitet Primary School, Cheptulel Boys High School, Chepoton Primary School, Ksaa Primary School and Sablimoi Primary School.
According to President Ruto, the CDF had been briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitet in Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County.
“The CDF and his entourage departed from Kainuk to Chesegon, West Pokot County, where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School. He then departed Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he was scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution. Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off.” The President regretted.
“The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me” said President Ruto.
The Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched an air investigations team, to establish the cause of the air crash.
The President has announced that the nation will observe a period of three days of mourning commencing tomorrow (Friday) 19th April 2024 in honour of the life of the late General Ogolla.
“During this time of national mourning, the Kenyan flag, the Kenya Defence Forces Flag, and the Eastern Africa community flag shall fly at half-mast in the Republic of Kenya and Kenya missions abroad.” He said.
General Ogolla makes history as the 1st chief of defense forces in the country to pass away while in active service.
He joined the Kenya Defence Forces on the 24 of April 1984 and was later commissioned as the 2nd Lieutenant on 6 May 1985 before being posted to the Kenya Air Force.
On 29th April, 2024, the late General Ogolla was appointed and sworn in as the Chief of the Defense Forces of Kenya.
