Kenya’s defense chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, and nine other high-ranking military personnel lost their lives in a helicopter crash on Thursday, President William Ruto announced.
Addressing reporters, President Ruto expressed deep sadness over the loss, stating, “Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident… I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla.”
President Ruto convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council following the news of the accident. He revealed that the crash occurred in Elgeyo Marakwet county, approximately 400 kilometers northwest of Nairobi.
The helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Chesegon, where General Ogolla and his team had been visiting a school. The president described General Ogolla as a distinguished four-star general who served his country with valor.
The Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigation team to determine the cause of the crash.
President Ruto declared three days of mourning starting from Friday, with official flags flying at half-mast to honor the fallen heroes.
General Ogolla, 61, had departed Nairobi on Thursday morning to visit troops deployed in the North Rift area as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu (Operation End Crime).
The tragic incident underscores the risks faced by military personnel in their duty to safeguard the nation’s security, particularly in regions plagued by insecurity.
General Ogolla, who was appointed Chief of the Defence Forces by President Ruto last year, had a distinguished career in the Kenya Defence Forces, rising through the ranks to command the Kenyan Air Force in 2018.
Despite past political differences, President Ruto acknowledged General Ogolla’s exceptional qualifications for the position.
