The country has been plunged into national grief following the death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel in a chopper crash that has seen president William Ruto declare three days of national mourning.
During a televised address to the nation to confirm the tragic updates at State House today evening, president Ruto has ordered the lowering of national, regional, and regimental flags to half-mast from tomorrow Friday in the Republic of Kenya and Kenya’s missions abroad.
He described General Ogolla’s death as “a painful loss to me”. He said.
Ruto listed the nine officers accompanying Gen Ogolla as; Brig Swaleh Said, Col Duncan Keitan Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Magondu (Pilot), Capt Sorah Mohamed, CaptHillary Butali, Snr Sgt John Kinyua, Sgt Cliffonce Omondi, and Sgt Rose Nyawira.
“This is a very sad moment, a moment of great sadness for me as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces; it is a tragic moment for KDF and it is a most unfortunate day for the nation at large.” He noted.
“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant Generals. We’ve also lost gallant officers, servicemen and women.” He added.
The ten officers were travelling in a Huey Helicopter operated by the Kenya Air Force, the Head of State said. Another two officers survived the crash.
Ogolla left Nairobi to visit KDF troops in the North Rift region and inspect construction projects in three local primary schools.
He also received a security briefing in Baringo before proceeding to a Forward Operation Base in Kainuk, Turkana, where he addressed troops.
Ogolla then left for West Pokot where he launched the rehabilitation of a school and later departed for Uasin Gishu where he was set to inspect another set of construction projects.
President Ruto said the crash, shortly after take-off, occurred as Ogolla and his entourage departed from West Pokot.
The Head of State addressed the press flanked by top KDF officials including led by Vice CDF Lt Gen Charles Kahariri, Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome who attended an emergency National Security Council (NSC) session at State House Nairobi which preceded the announcement.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary/CS Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Interior’s Kithure Kindiki also attended the emergency NSC session.
