President William Ruto has revealed the last moments of the late Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla before he sadly passed away in a helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Ruto addressed the state on April 18, 2024, at State House while announcing the death of CDF Ogolla and confirming the details of the crash which was reported earlier during the day.
The Head of State noted that the late general Ogolla was aboard the chopper alongside 11 other military personnel, 9 of whom also passed on while 2 survived.
“At 2:20 Pm our nation suffered a tragic air accident in Sindar area Keben location in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of Defense forces,” said Ruto.
According to Ruto, the late CDF’s journey started on Thursday morning when he left Nairobi onboard a Kenya Air Force (KAF) Huey Helicopter.
Last moments of CDF Ogolla
He was on a mission to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovation works in five named Primary schools.
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.
Also Read: Top KDF Chiefs Feared Dead in Chopper Crash
At the base, the late CDF addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational successes.
The CDF and his entourage then departed 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.
However, the aircraft unfortunately crashed shortly after the take-off which resulted in the death of the KDF chief alongside other military officials.
The gallant military personnel who passed on alongside Ogolla include Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe and Major George Benson Magondu.
Others include Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
Ruto mourns Ogolla
In his speech, President Ruto mourned the late CDF noting that Kenya has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman.
Also Read: Ruto Announces CDF Francis Ogolla Death [FULL SPEECH]
“This is a moment of great sadness for me, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, the Kenya Defense Forces fraternity and the nation at large.
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,” said Ruto.
He further noted that a distinguished four-star general has fallen in the line of duty, and service to his country and conveyed his deepest condolences to all families grieving the untimely loss.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, on his part, mourned Ogolla as not only an accomplished military leader, but also a devoted patriot who dedicated his life to serving and protecting the country.
“His leadership, bravery, and unwavering commitment to duty have made a lasting impact on our armed forces and our nation as a whole.
As the Head of State, I had the privilege of serving with General Ogolla as Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Commander of the Kenya Air Force, and finally as Vice Chief of Defense Forces,” said Kenyatta.
President Ruto further confirmed that the Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched an air investigations team, to establish the cause of the air crash.
