Kenya’s military chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, has tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in the west of the country, as confirmed by President William Ruto. The crash, which occurred at around 14:20 local time, claimed the lives of 11 other military personnel, with only two survivors.
President Ruto described the incident as a “moment of great sadness” for Kenya and convened an urgent security council meeting. The crash site in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 400km north-west of Nairobi, is currently being investigated by the Kenyan air force to determine the cause.
General Ogolla, the highest-ranking military officer in Kenya, had a distinguished career, having served as the commander of the air force and deputy chief of defence forces before his appointment as military chief in April last year. President Ruto praised him as a gallant officer who died in the line of duty.
The other victims of the crash were named as Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
The African Union Commission expressed its condolences to Kenya, with Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat offering thoughts and prayers to the president, government, and people of Kenya.
Kenya will observe a three-day period of mourning starting Friday, with flags flying at half-mast. The two survivors of the crash are currently in critical condition and receiving treatment.
The officers were on a mission to reopen schools in the North Rift region, which has been affected by banditry. They had also visited military officers deployed to stabilize the region.
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