President William Ruto has today confirmed a tragic air accident in Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, Elgeyo Marakwet County which resulted in the untimely death of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), along with nine other military personnel. Two survivors are receiving medical treatment.
The helicopter, a Kenya Air Force Huey, was carrying the Chief of Defence Forces and his entourage from Nairobi to various locations in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu. The purpose of the trip was to visit deployed troops and inspect school renovation projects.
According to President Ruto, General Ogolla and his team were briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team in Chesitet, Baringo County. The general later addressed troops at the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, commending them for their dedication and operational successes.
The tragic accident occurred shortly after the helicopter departed Chesegon, West Pokot County, where General Ogolla had launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School. The aircraft crashed shortly after take-off, leaving the nation in shock and mourning.
“This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity, and the nation at large,” President Ruto expressed. “Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and women.”
The fallen military personnel include 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.
President Ruto conveyed his deepest condolences to the grieving families and the nation, emphasizing the shared sorrow over the loss of General Ogolla and his dedicated team. “A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty and service to the country,” he remarked.
In response to the tragic incident, the Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigations team to determine the cause of the crash. President Ruto announced a three-day period of national mourning, starting tomorrow, during which the Kenyan flag, the Kenya Defence Forces Flag, and the Eastern Africa community flag will fly at half-mast in Kenya and its missions abroad.
The President concluded his statement with a heartfelt message, “May the Almighty Lord rest their souls in peace and grant their families fortitude at this time of deep sorrow. Poleni sana.”
