President Ruto Declares Three Days Of Mourning Following Death Of General Ogolla

President William Ruto has confirmed the death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Francis Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel who died who perished in a plane crash on Thursday.

The president has declared three days of national mourning and ordered the lowering of national, regional, and regimental flags to half-mast from Friday.

Speaking during a media briefing at State House, Nairobi, President Ruto noted that it was a tragic moment for the country to lose gallant service men and women.

“In honour of the life and the distinguished military career of the fallen general, who lost his life not just while in office, but in active military duty, the nation will observe a period of 3 days of mourning commencing tomorrow 19th April 2024.

“During this time of national mourning, the Kenyan flag, the Kenya Defence Forces Flag, and the Eastern Africa community flag shall fly at half-mast in the Republic of Kenya and Kenya missions abroad,” said President Ruto.

He added that the Kenya Air Force has sent a team of specialists to investigate the cause of the plane crash.

Others who died in the chopper crash are:

1. Brigadier Swale Saidi,

2. Colonel Duncan Keittany,

3. Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe,

4. Major George Benson Magondu,

5. Captain Sora Mohamed,

6. Captain Hillary Litali,

7. Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi,

8. Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and

9. Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

How the crash happened

The CDF, onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, had left Nairobi, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovations works in the region.

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. This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and the nation at large.

“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and women,” said the President.

General Francis Ogolla

Who was General Francis Ogolla

General Ogolla has 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.

Throughout his illustrious career, General Ogolla rose through the ranks, taking on various challenging assignments.

He underwent extensive training, including as a fighter pilot and instructor pilot with the United States Air Force, and received instruction in areas such as imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism, and accident investigation.

Ogolla held a Diploma in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict, and Peace Studies (First Class Honours), and a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Nairobi. He further honed his skills at prestigious institutions like the École Militaire de Paris and the National Defence College of Kenya.

Throughout his career, General Ogolla held various key positions, including Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Base Commander of Laikipia Air Base, Commanding Officer of Tactical Fighter Wing, Chief Flying Instructor at Kenya Air Force Flying Training School, and Operations Desk Officer at Kenya Air Force Headquarters.

His leadership and expertise were instrumental in developing and implementing training programs and operational strategies that significantly enhanced the effectiveness of the Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Defence Forces as a whole.