(Nairobi) Kenya’s army chief, Francis Omondi Ogolla, and nine other military officials were killed Thursday in a helicopter crash in the west of the country, President William Ruto announced.
“Today at 2:20 p.m. (7:20 a.m. Eastern Time), our nation experienced a tragic air accident in the Sindar region […] in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the death of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, head of the Kenya Defense Forces,” declared the Kenyan head of state following a meeting of the Security Council which he had convened in emergency.
“With him during the accident were eleven other valiant soldiers, nine who also died with him and two survivors,” he added.
These military officials were visiting this region located 400 kilometers from Nairobi in particular to “visit the troops deployed in the North Rift as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu”, (“put an end to crime”, in Swahili) intended to combat the groups of bandits who sow terror there, he said.
The accident took place as they were leaving to inspect construction work at a recruit training center in neighboring Uasin Gishu County. “Unfortunately, the plane crashed shortly after takeoff,” William Ruto said.
The Air Force dispatched a team of investigators to establish the causes of the accident.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta hailed in a statement “not only an accomplished military leader, but also a dedicated patriot who dedicated his life to serving and protecting (the) country.”
Aged 61, Francis Omondi Ogolla was appointed head of the armed forces on April 29, 2023, by President William Ruto.
A few weeks later, Mr. Ruto defended his choice, responding to those who, including in his close circle, accused Francis Omondi Ogolla of having tried to prevent his victory in the presidential election in August 2022.
The chairman of the electoral commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati had affirmed that the man who was then number 2 in the armies was part of a group of people who asked him not to declare William Ruto the winner against Raila Odinga.
“When I looked at his CV, he was the best person to be (a) general,” William Ruto told reporters.
Having attended the Paris Military School and the National Defense College of Kenya, he began his career in April 1984 in the air force, according to the website of the Kenyan Ministry of Defense.
He had been the commander of the Air Force from 2018 to 2021.
Married and father of two children, he had one grandchild.