Demands for thorough probe into the fatal chopper crash that killed the immediate former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the late General Francis Ogolla and nine others are mounting with leaders saying no stone should be left unturned.
Today, during the ongoing internment ceremony of Ogolla being held at Obama K’Ogello Primary School in Ngi’ya Village, Siaya county, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga has urged the family of the late Ogolla to be open to probe into the plane crash that claimed the life of the Chief of Defence Forces.
While addressing mourners, Oburu said that it was not the first time a high-ranking official from Nyanza died in such circumstances.
He categorically urged Ogolla’s son, Joel Rabuku to allow investigations into his father’s death after he dismissed calls for probe into the fatal military copter crash.
“Even though it was an accident; in this region we’ve had many such accidents and we’ve also had assassinations of leaders from this region. So when such things happen we are a bit suspicious not because of anything, but we want to know the truth.” Oburu said.
The Senator further faulted Ogolla’s son Joel Rabuku for dismissing calls for investigations into the fatal crash.
“We want to ask the General’s son (Joel) not to be impatient with us. It’s not because of anything it is because once bitten twice shy. We asking for no stones to be left unturned and let us know the truth on who killed General Ogolla.” Oburu said.
He recalled how Tom Mboya and Robert Ouko were killed in controversial circumstances.
“I was part and parcel of the team that was investigating the death of Ouko. It was very sad because the regime at that time managed to convince the family to be very protective and not allow people to go into details. So young man allow investigators to do their work.” Oburu added.
Calls for thorough investigations into the accident were also echoed by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
“It has been said that Generals don’t die, they fade away. But here we have a case of a general who didn’t fade away, he crashed. I associate myself fully with what Senator Oburu has said. What Kenyans want is simply to make it public because they that will alley all these fears. The matter of General Ogolla goes beyond our sister Aileen and her beautiful kids. It is a national thing, for the truth must come out.” Kalonzo said.
Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua and Siaya governor James Orengo equally called for a probe into the accident that killed Ogolla and nine other army officials.
“Generals don’t die. They fade away. But here we have a General who crashed in a helicopter. We urge the government to make public the report of the investigations,” Kalonzo said.
“It is important that the investigations are made public.” Karua noted.
On his part, Orengo said the government must assure Kenyans that an open investigation will be conducted.
“I want to state without fear of contradiction that as the Luo nation we have mourned a lot of great heroes. There was Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko and others and today we are mourning General Ogolla,” he said, “so all we are asking is the truth to come out.” He noted.
