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Kenyan Military Chief Killed In Helicopter Crash

Kenyan military chief killed in helicopter crash. This unfortunate incident happened on their way to reopen schools affected by the bandit attack.

Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, Kenya’s military chief, died after a military helicopter crashed in the country’s west, the president announced.

Gen. Ogolla was in the helicopter with eleven other military personnel. Only two people survived. In a press conference, President William Ruto described it as a “moment of great sadness” for the country.

He had previously convened an emergency security council meeting. Mr Ruto stated that the crash occurred at 14:20 local time (12:20 BST). The Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigation team to determine the cause of the crash, the president announced.

The helicopter crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi. “Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after take off,” Mr. Ruto told reporters.

Rescue and recovery teams were dispatched to the crash scene. Gen Ogolla was appointed by Mr Ruto in April of last year, having previously served as Air Force Commander and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.
Mr Ruto described Gen Ogolla, Kenya’s highest-ranking military officer and chief military adviser to the president, as a brave officer who died in the line of duty.

“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman,” the president said to the nation.

The nation will observe a three-day period of mourning beginning on Friday, April 19. Mr Ruto announced that the flags of the Republic of Kenya and Kenyan missions abroad will be flown at half-mast.

Senior military officers killed in the crash included Brig Swale Saidi, Col Duncan Keittany, Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Benson Magondu, Capt Sora Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Snr Sgt John Kinyua Mureithi, Sgt Cliphonce Omondi, and Sgt Rose Nyawira.

The two survivors are in critical condition and being treated. The officers had visited Kenya’s North Rift region, which has been plagued by banditry.

They were on a mission to reopen some of the schools that had been closed following bandit attacks. They had also met with military officers who had been deployed to help stabilize the region.