Senior Lawyer Pokes Holes in Gen Ogolla’s Chopper Crash Report

Senior lawyer Paul Muite has cast doubt on the official report into the April 18, 2024, helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine other military personnel, accusing the government of delivering a vague and inadequate investigation.

The Ministry of Defence’s report, released on April 11, 2025, attributed the crash to engine failure, but Muite’s sharp critique has reignited public and political demands for transparency.

Muite argues that the report failed to address critical questions about the cause of the engine malfunction, including the helicopter’s maintenance history to rule out deliberate interference.

“Given the trust deficit in the regime in power and suspicions, full details of what caused the engine failure, including servicing to exclude deliberate interference, is what people were expecting,” Muite said.

He also questioned the investigation’s credibility, asking, “Was there an experienced investigator who pulled out?”

The crash, involving a Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter in West Pokot, has been mired in controversy since it claimed the lives of one of Kenya’s most senior military leaders.

The Ministry of Defence, led by Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya, presented the report to President William Ruto, asserting that engine failure was the sole cause, dismissing weather or crew errors.

However, Muite’s remarks echo broader skepticism, with many Kenyans questioning whether the truth is being hidden.

Muite drew parallels to past government inquiries, notably the Saitoti Commission, which probed the 2012 plane crash that killed then-Interior Minister George Saitoti.

“Governments employ Commissions of Inquiry to ‘buy time’ so that public anger subsides, plus appointing subservient commissioners—more often than not, a strategy for covering up the truth,” he said, adding, “Is there anyone who trusts Saitoti Commission findings?”

Adding fuel to the debate, the report revealed that the helicopter’s engine was replaced in December 2023, raising questions about undetected faults.

An ancuatio expert suggested maintenance lapses, stating, “There seemed to be a peculiar issue with this engine that the investigation team might not have fully understood.”

Political leaders have also weighed in. The Azimio coalition previously called for a hybrid investigation involving civilian oversight, while Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga urged a thorough probe to quell speculation. These demands underscore a deep-seated distrust in military-led inquiries, particularly for such a high-profile tragedy.