President William Ruto has officially confirmed the tragic passing of Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, who lost his life in a devastating military helicopter accident in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
During a State of the Nation address at State House in Nairobi on Thursday, April 18, President Ruto solemnly announced that the helicopter, carrying 11 passengers, crashed in the Sindar area of Keben location in Elgeyo Marakwet county, claiming the lives of 9 individuals, including General Ogolla.
"At 2:20 pm today, our nation witnessed a tragic air accident in the Sindar area, Keben location, Elgeyo Marakwet county. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla," stated Ruto.
President Ruto eulogized General Ogolla as a distinguished four-star general deeply committed to his duties.
According to President Ruto, General Ogolla had departed Nairobi earlier on Thursday aboard a Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, as well as to inspect renovation works on five schools.
After addressing troops at the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County and inspecting construction facilities at the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, the tragic accident occurred shortly after take-off from Chesegon.
"This is a moment of profound sadness for me, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the entire KDF fraternity, and the nation as a whole," expressed President Ruto.
"The loss of General Ogolla is a deep sorrow for me, and undoubtedly, the grief we all share about his passing is felt by all Kenyans, particularly the KDF community," he added.
President Ruto announced the establishment of a team to investigate the cause of the accident.
Additionally, he directed a three-day mourning period starting Friday, April 19, during which flags, including the Kenyan flag, the East African flag, and the military flag, will be flown at half-mast.
Among the military officials who tragically lost their lives alongside General Ogolla were Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
President Ruto's announcement followed a National Security Council meeting convened at State House in Nairobi, attended by high-ranking government officials including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, Attorney General Justin Muturi, Defence CS Aden Dwale, National Intelligence Service Director Noordin Haji, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, and National Security Advisor Monica Juma.
