General Francis Ogolla was appointed Chief of Kenya Defence Forces on April 28,2023 by President William Ruto.
Ogolla, who also serves as the principal military adviser to the Head of State and his Cabinet, was a Lieutenant before his appointment.
General Ogolla’s Life Outside the Military
When he is not putting on his Chief of Kenya Defence Forces hat, Francis Ogolla is a family man who enjoys doing other things.
In an interview on KBC, Ogolla revealed that he enjoys reading during his free time.
Moreover, the military boss also noted that he loves playing golf but had to stop when he was appointed Chief of Defence Forces.
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“I used to love golf, but the day I was appointed the Chief of Defence Forces I kept my golf clubs aside and decided to focus on this job wholeheartedly.” Ogolla stated.
Likewise, the general said he runs twice a week with soldiers for fitness purposes and enjoys spending at least two to three hours a day alone to reflect.
Ogolla is a Christian and a Family Man
General Ogolla is married to Aileen with whom they are blessed with two children.
He served as the chairperson of the Military Christian Fellowship from 1994 to 2004 and the co-chairman of the association of African air chiefs between 2018 and 2019.
General Ogolla’s Career
The highly experienced senior officer in the Kenya Defence forces joined the military in 1984 and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1985.
Francis Ogolla was then posted to Kenya Air Force where he started his career as a fighter pilot.
He trained with the United States Air Force as a fighter and instructor pilot, received training on imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism and accident investigation.
Through his dedication to continuous learning and professional development, the general rose through the military ranks, getting various promotions over the years.
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The military man’s distinguished career has seen him hold several positions in training, command, and staff including Kenya Airforce deputy commander, Laikipia Airbase base commander and commanding office of the tactical fighter wing.
Other positions held are Chief flying instructor at the Kenya Air Force flying training school and operation desk officer at the Kenya Air Force Headqurters.
Furthermore, General Ogolla has played a vital role in the development and implementation of several training programs and operational strategies that have significantly improved the effectiveness of the Kenya Defence Forces.
