NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 21- Joel Rabuku, the son of the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla, has defended his father’s relationship with President William Ruto, warning against speculations.
During the burial service at Ngi’ya Village, Siaya County, Joel urged those spreading false stories about his father’s relationship with President Ruto and the cause of the chopper crash that killed him to stop.
General Ogolla who was named Chief of Defence Forces in April 2023 died in a helicopter crash in April 18, 2024 in Elgeyo Marakwet and was buried 72 hours later in accordance with his wishes.
“The president and my late dad were genuine friends. So stop spreading those faleshoods! My dad loved the President, and they were good friends,” he asserted.
He thanked President Ruto for entrusting his father with the top military job.
“Given your working relationship with him, let me put this to rest as a family and community. We thank you for placing your trust in the General,” he stated, pledging to continue his father’s legacy of transforming lives in the community.
During the funeral, Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga urged for thorough investigations into the helicopter crash that claimed the lives of the military chief and nine others.
“As a community here (Luo Nyanza), we have suffered tragedies where some of our sons have been assassinated. We had the likes of Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko, and others, and that is why we are asking for thorough investigations,” he said.
“To Ogolla’s son, please be patient, let us wait for investigations,” Oburu added.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged the government to make the outcome of the investigations public to bring closure to the matter. “Generals don’t die. They fade away. But here we have a General who crashed in a helicopter. We urge the government to make public the report of the investigations,” Kalonzo stated.
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua also emphasized the importance of making the investigations public.
Siaya Governor James Orengo insisted that the government must assure Kenyans of conducting an open investigation. “As the Luo nation, we have mourned many great heroes. There was Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko, and others, and today we are mourning General Ogolla,” he said. “So, all we are asking for is the truth to come out.”
