On the evening of April 18, a viral video circulated on social media showing a military aircraft flying over the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County catching fire mid-air. A few minutes later, it crashed. Social media was flooded with messages claiming that the aircraft had been carrying several military top officials, including the then Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla.
Messages of condolence began pouring in as Kenyans on various social media platforms reacted. Meanwhile, speculation arose about the potential causes of the military aircraft crash, but there was no official communication from any government official regarding the incident.
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As the viral video gained attention, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura issued a statement urging Kenyans to remain calm and avoid speculation following reports of a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) helicopter crash.
He emphasized the importance of waiting for verified information and assured the public that official communication regarding the incident would be released soon.
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President Ruto Confirms Death of CDF Francis Ogolla
Later that evening, President William Ruto addressed the nation after convening an urgent National Security Council meeting regarding the aircraft crash reports.
In his speech, the Head of State confirmed that the Chief of Defense Forces had died while on a special mission aimed at reducing banditry attacks under Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) in the North Rift Counties of Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and West Pokot.
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The President also announced that nine other military officers who had accompanied General Ogolla had lost their lives in the helicopter crash, while two military personnel survived the accident and were receiving treatment in Nairobi. The nine officers who perished alongside General Ogolla were:
- Brigadier Swaleh Saidi (Commander of the Combat Engineers Brigade)
- Colonel Duncan Keitany (Colonel of Operations, Defense Headquarters (DHQ))
- Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe (Staff Officer for Infrastructure, DHQ)
- Major George Benson Magondu (pilot)
- Captain Hillary Litali (Aide-de-Camp to the CDF)
- Captain Sorah Mohamed (pilot)
- Senior Sergeant John Kinywa Mureithi (Flight Technician)
- Sergeant Cliffonce Omondi (CDF Security)
- Sergeant Rose Nyawira (CDF Media)
The two survivors were Colonel Kasaine Ole Kuruta (Staff Officer, DHQ) and Corporal Frankford Karanja Mogire (CDF Media).
President Ruto expressed deep sorrow and announced a three-day national mourning to honor the fallen General and his colleagues.
During that time, the head of state also directed that the Kenyan flag, along with the flags of the Kenya Defense Forces, the East African Community, and all military formations, would fly at half-mast both in Kenya and at Kenyan missions abroad.
Ogolla’s Son Dismisses Claims Linking Executive to CDF’s Death
At General Ogolla’s funeral, his son, Joel Rabuku, dismissed claims that his father’s death was planned. He clarified that the President and the then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had formed a positive relationship with General Ogolla, and there was no animosity between them.
Joel also noted that President Ruto had not been compelled to appoint his father because his position was secured purely based on competence.
“I want to clear the air regarding the conversations I had with my father about his time with the President.
First of all, the President did not have to appoint him. Initially, he acknowledged his competence and chose him for the job. They quickly became friends and developed a strong security partnership to protect the country alongside the Deputy President and the Cabinet Secretary. They became like brothers. I’ve seen the comments on Twitter and feel sorry for those involved. It severely impacted the three of them,” he said.
In contrast, Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga criticized Joel during his father’s funeral for dismissing calls for an investigation into his father’s death.
Also Read: Survivors in CDF Francis Ogolla Chopper Crash Questioned
Oburu urged Rabuku to allow the government to conduct a thorough probe into the helicopter crash, referencing previous cases of suspicious deaths involving leaders from the region.
He stressed the importance of revealing the truth and raised concerns about possible foul play.
President Ruto, while addressing mourners at the CDF’s funeral, assured the public that no stone would be left unturned in determining the cause of General Francis Ogolla’s death and expressed hope that Lieutenant General John Mugaravai Omenda’s team would reveal the circumstances surrounding Ogolla’s demise.
KDF Submits Report to Ruto Regarding Cause of the Aircraft Crash
11 months after the CDF’s death, Cabinet Secretary for Defense Soipan Tuya presented the report on the Kenya Air Force Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter KAF 1501 that crashed in Sindar Village, Kaben, Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on April 18, 2024, to President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on Friday, April 11, 2025.
The report determined that the aircraft crashed due to an engine malfunction. It confirmed that the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter, with registration KAF 1501, crashed shortly after takeoff from Cheptulel Boys High School in Elgeyo Marakwet County, resulting in the deaths of Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) Gen. Francis Ogolla and several senior military officers.
Also Read: Military Probe Reveals Cause of Chopper Crash That Killed CDF Ogolla
It also verified that the aircraft had undergone regular maintenance and that both pilots were highly experienced, with 1,700 and 955 flight hours, respectively. The report noted that weather conditions at the time were favorable for flying.
With these findings, the report ruled out professional incompetence, human interference, and adverse weather conditions.
Kalonzo Dismisses Report Says Ogolla Was Assassinated
However, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka publicly criticized the official report regarding the helicopter crash that resulted in General Francis Ogolla’s death on Sunday, April 13.
Kalonzo rejected the conclusions that attributed the crash to engine failure and claimed foul play.
He suggested that Ogolla’s role during the 2022 General Election may have made him a target and called for an independent parliamentary inquiry to investigate the aircraft crash.
“He was sent by the National Security Council during the last election, and some people had threatened that they would deal with this guy later. There was no way General Ogolla was not going to become the next head of our military—and that is why he was taken out. General Francis Ogolla was taken out! No Kenyan believes the story of engine failure. He was taken out!” the Wiper Party leader claimed.
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