Four-Star General and KDF’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Ogolla is dead in tragic chopper crash
Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF’s) Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Omondi Ogolla has died following a chopper crash this afternoon in Sindar area, Elgeyo Marakwet.
While addressing the nation this 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.” Openly distraught president Ruto said in a televised address to the nation.
The military personnel who passed on alongside 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 today 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.” President Ruto said.
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) April 19, 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.
Following the tragedy, President William Ruto summoned an urgent National Security Council meeting ahead of a formal announcement.
He was named to the top post by President William Ruto, taking over from General Robert Kibochi who proceeded on retirement.
According to the president, the CDF, onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, had left Nairobi on Thursday morning, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift
under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovations works.
As part of his working tour, 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, where he addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational
successes.
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,” President Ruto said in announcing the shocking deaths.
General Ogolla, who took over from General Robert Kibochi in April 2023 when he was appointed by President Ruto, had a distinguished career spanning decades.
A fighter jet pilot by training, he joined the Kenya Defence Forces in April 1984 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in May 1985, starting his journey in the Kenya Air Force.
General Ogolla makes history as the first CDF 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 April 29, 2023, the late General Ogolla was appointed and sworn in as the Chief of the Defence Forces of Kenya.
