Kenyan overall military commander Francis Omondi Ogolla has died in a helicopter crash. President William Ruto has declared national mourning and directed that all flags must fly at half must.
Gen Ogolla has been Kenyan Chief of Defence Forces for only eleven months and 20 days after he was appointed by Ruto on April 28, 2023.
Gen Ogolla joined the army on 24 April 1984. Because of his distinguished career, he was appointed Chief of Defence Forces on 28 April 2023.
He has died with respect after neutralizing the bandits that were terrorizing Kenyans in the Turkana areas.
More Details By East African Newspaper
General Ogolla died on Thursday afternoon after a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed in Sindar, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.
“Today at 2.20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident at Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces,” President Ruto said in a live address to the nation from State House, Nairobi on Thursday night.
The President said together with General Ogolla in the crash were 11 other military personnel, nine who also passed on while two survived.
The other officers who died in the crash 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.
President Ruto also announced three days of national mourning, beginning Friday, April 19, in honour of General Ogolla and nine others who perished in the crash. During this period flags will fly at half mast, the head of State said.
“This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and the nation at large. Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman,” President Ruto said.
“The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me, and certainly, the sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya, and especially the KDF fraternity. A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty, and service to country,” the head of State added.
The President said a Kenya Air Force team had been dispatched to the site of the crash to investigate the crash.