NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 18 – Kenya is in mourning following the death of its military chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla in a plane crash.
Ogolla perished Thursday alongside nine other military officials in a helicopter crash that went up in flames in Elgeyo Marakwet. There were two survivors.
President William Ruto who confirmed Ogolla’s death said the plane carrying the General and other commanders took off from a primary school in Elgeyo Marakwet shortly after 2pm. Witnesses said it went down at Kaben area shortly afterwards.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of the Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla Omondi,” President William Ruto said and declared three days of mourning during which flags will fly at half-mast.
Following the tragedy, President William Ruto summoned an urgent National Security Council meeting ahead of a formal announcement.
He was named to the top post by President William Ruto, taking over from General Robert Kibochi who proceeded on retirement.
According to the president, the CDF, onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, had left Nairobi on Thursday morning, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift
under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovations works.
As part of his working tour, the CDF had been briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitet in Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, where he addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational
successes.
The CDF and his entourage departed from Kainuk to Chesegon, West Pokot County, where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School.
“He then departed Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he was scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution.
Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off,” President Ruto said in announcing the shocking deaths.
General Ogolla, who took over from General Robert Kibochi in April 2023 when he was appointed by President Ruto, had a distinguished career spanning decades.
A fighter jet pilot by training, he joined the Kenya Defence Forces in April 1984 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in May 1985, starting his journey in the Kenya Air Force.
