Kenya is mourning the death of Chief of Defence Forces (KDF), General Francis Omondi Ogolla, who passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in a helicopter accident in Sindar area, on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet Counties.
General Ogolla lost his life along with nine other officers who were aboard the military helicopter carrying a total of 11 KDF personnel when the accident occurred a few minutes past nine in the evening.
President William Ruto declared three days of mourning for General Ogolla and the other fallen officers.
“It’s a day of sorrow. Today, our nation has been struck by a tragic accident that claimed the life of Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, General Francis Omondi Ogolla,” President Ruto told the nation, accompanied by top KDF commanders and Defence Minister Aden Duale at Nairobi’s State House.
The officers were returning from an official visit to Cheptulel Boys High School in West Pokot, where they attended a meeting for about an hour.
President Ruto stated that General Ogolla and his team had visited soldiers assisting in the fight against poaching in the North Rift region.
Upon their arrival a few minutes past seven, they were received by Deputy Commissioner of Pokot Central, Jeremiah Tumoh, and his counterpart from Chesegon, Naftali Korir, local chiefs, and other administrative officials.
“A group of KDF officers entered the tent we were in. Among them was Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla, who assured the residents that all schools affected by insecurity would be rebuilt by KDF officers,” said Cheptulel resident Mr. Tito Lopuriang, who attended the meeting.
He revealed that the military Buffalo helicopter departed a few minutes before nine, and shortly afterward, residents saw smoke after the helicopter crashed in Sindar area on the Marakwet side, about two kilometers from Chesegon.
“KDF officers at the scene used drones to assess the situation of the accident site,” he said.
Mr. Lopuriang initially said security officials suspected it was poachers who brought down the helicopter.
“The helicopter hit a tree, and it may have had technical issues,” he said.
Mr. Lopuriang disclosed that KDF officers cordoned off the accident site and did not allow anyone near it.
He said those rescued were taken to Kaben health center for treatment before being transported by aircraft.
West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi confirmed that the helicopter crashed on the border of the county and Elgeyo Marakwet.
General Ogolla was appointed Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya on April 28, 2023, following the retirement of General Robert Kibochi on April 28, 2023.
Before his appointment as Chief of Defence Forces, General Ogolla served as the Deputy Chief of the KDF.
He studied at the École Militaire de Paris, France, and at the National Defence College, Kenya.
Additionally, he holds diplomas in International Affairs and Military Science from Egerton University and degrees in Political Science, Conflict Resolution and Peace, and a master’s degree in International Affairs from the University of Nairobi.
He rose through the ranks in the air force to Major General and was appointed Commander of the Kenya Air Force on July 15, 2018, a position he held for three years.
As Deputy Chief of KDF, he was accused by the Kenya First coalition of being among the members of the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) who visited the national tallying center at the Bomas of Kenya to pressure the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) not to declare a direct winner of the presidential election.
These allegations were denied by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition, and until his death, the general did not publicly address the issue.
