The skies of Kenya Defence Forces and the entire country are covered with gloom, somber and melancholy as death robs them of national hero.
It was vivid during a televised address from State House when President William Ruto announced the death of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla.
Many Kenyans, including in Uganda were left in utter shock as many broke down in tears as greif swept them off their feet.
In his detailed address, Mr Ruto said Ogolla died in a helicopter crash alongside nine other military officials in Marakwet East indicating that the deceased was scheduled to have five stopovers but managed only three.
“The CDF had been briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitetin Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, where he addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational successes,” Ruto said.
He said he then departed Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he was scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution.
Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off at 2.20pm.
General Ogolla now becomes the shortest serving Chief of General Staff having only assumed the reins of power on April 29, 2023, after taking over from retired General Robert Kibochi.
“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,” he said.
The President described Ogolla’s death as the demise of a four-star general who has fallen in the course of duty, and service to the country.
“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman. The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me, and certainly, the sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya, and especially the KDF fraternity.”
