President William Ruto on Thursday 18 April 2024 announced the death of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) boss Francis Omondi Ogolla.
Ruto announced that the late CDF Ogolla perished alongside nine other military officers following a tragic chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The head of state while revealing about the details of the crash noted that two officers who were also in the ill-fated Kenya Air Force (KAF) chopper survived and had since been rushed to hospital for treatment.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces. Together with him in the crash were eleven other gallant military personnel, 9 who also passed on and two survivors,” announced the President.
One of the survivors has since been identified as service man Frankford Karanja Mogire.
Survivor
Mogire was rescued shortly after the crash and is receiving treatment at a hospital in Eldoret, according to reports.
Also Read: Last Moments of Late CDF Ogolla Before KDF Chopper Crash
The soldier was working as a photographer for the Defense Forces and was in line of duty during the crash.
Karanja graduated from Mount Kenya University in 2016 before joining the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).
Having done journalism, he has been putting his skills into practice as a KDF photographer.
Photos seen by The Kenya Times showed Karanja in his line of duty covering various events with his camera.
Following the crash, some social media users who knew Mogire sent heartfelt messages wishing him a quick recovery.
Photographer Mc Dominic Mwangi, who seemed to know him at a personal level posted “I thank God for you bro. Quick and speedy recovery bro. #darkevening,”.
Another social media user, Almamy Moha while wishing Karanja a quick recovery noted that he was his classmate back at the university before he graduated in 2016.
“Frankford did Journalism – we shared notes, laptops, cameras & desks. Frankford joined the forces around 2016/17. He is a nice guy. Wishing my former classmate a quick recovery,” he posted.
KDF Chopper crash
Other soldiers who also perished in the accident include Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi who was identified the aircraft technician.
Also Read: Top KDF Chiefs Feared Dead in Chopper Crash
Also, onboard was Captain Mohammed Karro Sora and Sergeant Rose Nyawira who was also a photographer.
Others were identified as Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Hillary Litali, and Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi.
The fallen soldiers perished in the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter which was among the aircrafts acquired from the US in 2016.
President Ruto while announcing the tragic loss, declared three days of national mourning in honor of fallen CDF Ogolla.
The head of state said that the late General was visiting certain troops in North Rift who were part of the Operation Maliza Uhalifu.
The operation is a collaboration between National Police Service and KDF soldiers and to eliminate banditry in the region.
Do you want to be part of an updated community without the interruptions of unwanted messages? Click the link below and join our WhatsApp Channel!
