By Lucy Adautin
Kenya’s defense chief and nine other high-ranking officials tragically lost their lives in a military helicopter crash in a remote area of the country, President William Ruto announced on Thursday.
“Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident… I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla,” Ruto told reporters.
Following news of the accident, the president swiftly convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council. He confirmed that nine other “brave military personnel” onboard lost their lives, while two survived the tragic incident.
The president also announced that the Kenya Air Force has deployed an air investigation team to determine the cause of the crash. The incident occurred in Elgeyo Marakwet county, approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi.
The helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Chesegon, where he and his entourage had been visiting a school, Ruto said.
“A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty and in the service of the country,” he said.
“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman.”
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Ruto announced three days of mourning from Friday, with official flags flying at half mast.
He said Ogolla, 61, had left Nairobi on Thursday morning on an Air Force Huey helicopter to visit troops deployed in the North Rift area in Operation Maliza Uhalifu (Operation End Crime in Swalihi), and other sites.
Kenyan authorities have long battled insecurity in the Rift Valley region, with armed bandits and cattle rustlers rampant.
“The helicopter burst into flames after crashing and it had more than 10 senior commanders on board including General Ogolla,” a police officer had told AFP earlier.
“They were in the area on a security mission because there are KDF (Kenya Defence Forces) soldiers deployed in the region,” he added.
Ogolla was appointed Chief of the Defence Forces by Ruto in April last year after a stint as deputy.
In May last year, Ruto informed journalists that he appointed Ogolla despite his involvement in attempts to challenge Ruto’s narrow election victory against opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2022.
“When I reviewed his CV, he emerged as the most qualified individual for the position of general,” Ruto stated, acknowledging that his decision contradicted the desires of many.
A skilled fighter pilot, Ogolla enlisted in the KDF in April 1984, steadily advancing through the ranks to assume command of the Kenyan Air Force in 2018, a position he held for three years.
