A spotlight on the biography of the late General Francis Ogolla reveals a man who ascended through the ranks with determination and dedication to service.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the late Chief of Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla, enlisted in the Kenya Defence Forces on April 24, 1984.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 6, 1985, and subsequently posted to the Kenya Air Force. He underwent training as a fighter pilot with the USAF and as an instructor pilot at the Kenya Air Force (KAF). Additionally, he received training in other fields, including imagery intelligence, counterterrorism, and accident investigation.
General Francis Ogolla was a graduate of École Militaire de Paris and the National Defence College of Kenya. He held a Diploma in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict, and Peace Studies (First Class Honors), and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
He ascended through the ranks to become a Major General and was appointed Commander of the Kenya Air Force on July 15, 2018, a position he held for three years. Prior to this, he held various appointments in training, command, and staff roles, including Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Base Commander of Laikipia Air Base, Commanding Officer of Tactical Fighter Wing, Chief Flying Instructor at Kenya Air Force Flying Training School, and Operations Desk Officer at Kenya Air Force Headquarters.
He also served as an Observer and Military Information Officer in the former Yugoslavia from 1992 to 1993, as chairman of the Military Christian Fellowship from 1994 to 2004, and as co-Chair of the Association of African Air Chiefs between 2018 and 2019.
On April 28, 2023, General Francis Ogolla was promoted from the position of Lieutenant to the rank of General and appointed Chief of the Defence Forces (CDF) by President William Ruto. His swearing-in ceremony and investiture of ranks took place on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at State House, Nairobi. Before this appointment, General Francis Omondi Ogolla served as the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces.
On April 18, 2024, around 2:20 p.m., General Ogolla died in a Kenya Defense Forces helicopter crash at the Sindar area in Kaben location, Tot division, Elgeyo Marakwet County. He passed away at the age of 61. The crash also claimed the lives of nine other soldiers who were aboard the ill-fated chopper with the General.
General Ogolla was married to Aileen and was blessed with two children and a grandson. His hobbies included reading and playing golf.
Source – biznakenya-
