Kenya’s military chief General Francis Ogola has died in a helicopter crash. Kenyan President William Ruto gave this information in a television address. President Ruto said General Francis Ogola and nine other members of the military have been killed in a helicopter crash. The helicopter crashed soon after takeoff on Thursday afternoon. Ruto said, ‘I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogola, Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces. An investigation team has been formed to determine the cause of the accident and have been dispatched to the accident site in Elgeyo Marakwet County.’
‘Unfortunate day for the country’
Ruto said General Ogola left Nairobi on Thursday to meet with troops in Kenya’s Northern Rift region and inspect ongoing school renovations there. He said, ‘For me, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, this is a sad moment for the Kenya Defense Forces fraternity and a most unfortunate day for the nation. Our motherland has lost one of its bravest generals.
three days mourning
The President has announced that Kenya will observe three days of mourning starting from Friday. According to the Kenyan Ministry of Defense website, General Ogola joined the Kenyan Defense Forces in 1984 and became a second lieutenant in 1985 before being posted to the Kenya Air Force. The Kenyan President has called an urgent meeting of the country’s National Security Council in Nairobi following the helicopter crash, according to presidential spokesman Hussein Mohammed.
Other military personnel killed in helicopter crash
– Brigadier Swale Saidi
– Colonel Duncan Catney
– Lieutenant Colonel David Savay
– Major George Benson Magondu
– Captain Sora Mohammed
– Captain Hillary Litali
– Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Murethi
– Sergeant Clipphonse Omondi
– Sergeant Rose Nyawira
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