Regrettably, a devastating helicopter crash has claimed the lives of Kenyan Defense Chief, Francis Ogolla, along with nine other esteemed officials.
President William Ruto disclosed that the tragic incident took place in a remote region of the country on Thursday.
In response to the harrowing event, Ruto called for an immediate convening of the National Security Council, noting the loss of the nine “brave military personnel” on board, with only two survivors.
Ruto informed that the Kenya Aviation Force has promptly dispatched an aviation investigative team to ascertain the cause of the crash, which occurred in Elgeyo Marakwet county, approximately 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of Nairobi, the capital.
The helicopter met with tragedy shortly after departing from Chesegon, where Ogolla and his team had been on a visit to a school.
Announcing a period of mourning lasting three days commencing from Friday, Ruto mentioned that official flags would be flown at half-mast in honor of the departed.
He indicated that Ogolla, aged 61, had embarked from Nairobi on Thursday morning via an Air Force Huey helicopter to visit troops stationed in the North Rift area as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu (Operation End Crime in Swahili) and other locations.
Authorities in Kenya have been grappling with insecurity in the Rift Valley region for an extended period, with armed bandits and cattle rustlers causing significant challenges.
Ogolla assumed the role of Chief of the Defence Forces following his appointment by Ruto in April last year, succeeding a tenure as Deputy.
Last May, Ruto shared with the press that despite his knowledge of Ogolla being among those who attempted to challenge his narrow victory against opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2022, he opted to appoint him to the position.
A seasoned fighter pilot, Ogolla became part of the KDF in April 1984, steadily advancing in the ranks to eventually lead the Kenyan Air Force in 2018, a responsibility he fulfilled for three years.