Tragic Military Helicopter Crash in Kenya
Kenya's defense chief and nine other top brass died on Thursday in a military helicopter crash in a remote area of the country, President William Ruto said. Two officers survived the crash, including the pilot.
"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,"
The president, who had convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council after news of the accident emerged, said nine other "gallant military personnel" on board were also killed while two survived.
He said the Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which took place in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 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."
Ruto announced three days of mourning from Friday, with official flags flying at half mast.
The Crash of General Ogolla's Helicopter
General Ogolla, 61, departed from Nairobi on Thursday morning on an air force Huey helicopter to visit troops stationed in the North Rift area as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu (Operation End Crime in Swahili) and other locations.
Kenyan authorities have been grappling with insecurity in the Rift Valley region, plagued by armed bandits and cattle rustlers.
Reports indicate that the helicopter caught fire and crashed with over 10 senior commanders onboard, including General Ogolla. They were conducting a security mission in an area where Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers are deployed.
General Ogolla's Background and Controversial Appointment
General Ogolla was appointed as Chief of the Defence Forces by Ruto in April of the previous year, following a term as deputy.
Ruto defended his decision to appoint Ogolla, despite the general being part of the group that contested Ruto's narrow victory over opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2022.
Highlighting Ogolla's impressive career, Ruto stated that the general's qualifications made him the best candidate for the position, even though it went against the desires of many individuals.
Ogolla, a skilled fighter pilot, joined the KDF in April 1984 and eventually rose to lead the Kenyan Air Force in 2018, a role he held for three years.
Tragedy struck once again in Kenya as a military helicopter crash claimed the lives of 10 soldiers, marking the second time in three years that such an incident has occurred.
The fatal crash occurred in June 2021 as the helicopter was attempting to land near the capital city of Nairobi, resulting in the loss of at least 10 military officers.
