The country is mourning following the death of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) boss, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, who died in a plane crash on Thursday in Elgeyo Marakwet.
Ogolla perished alongside nine other military officials in a helicopter crash that went up in flames . There were two survivors.
Confirming Ogolla’s death, President William Ruto 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 the Kaben area shortly afterward.
“I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of the Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla Omondi,” President William Ruto said.
Further, he has declared three days of mourning, during which flags will fly at half-mast.
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According to the president, the CDF, who was onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, left Nairobi on Thursday morning to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu and inspect the ongoing school renovations.
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.
Further, Ogolla 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.
General Ogolla, appointed by President Ruto to succeed General Robert Kibochi in April 2023, had a distinguished career spanning decades.
