Kenya’s army chief, Francis Omondi Ogolla, and nine other military officials were killed on Thursday April 18 in a helicopter crash in the west of the country, President William Ruto announced. Aged 61, Francis Omondi Ogolla was appointed head of the armed forces on April 29, 2023 by Mr. Ruto.
“Today at 2:30 p.m. [heure locale, 13 h 30 à Paris]our nation experienced a tragic air accident in the Sindar region (…) in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces”declared the Kenyan head of state, following a meeting of the security council that he had called urgently.
“With him at the time of the accident were eleven other valiant soldiers, nine who also died with him, and two [qui ont survécu] »he added.
Military officials visit Kenya
These military officials were visiting this region located 400 kilometers from Nairobi, notably to « visit troops deployed in the northern Rift Valley as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu [« mettre fin à la criminalité », en swahili] »intended to combat the groups of bandits who sow terror there, said William Ruto.
A few weeks later, Mr. Ruto defended his choice, responding to those who, including in his close circle, accused Francis Omondi Ogolla of having tried to prevent his victory in the presidential election in August 2022.
The chairman of the electoral commission, Wafula Chebukati, said that the then number two in the army was part of a group of people who asked him not to declare William Ruto the winner against Raila Odinga.
“When I looked at his CV, he was the best person to be [un] general “William Ruto told the press.
Having attended the Paris Military School and the National Defense College of Kenya, he began his career in April 1984 in the Air Force, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Defense website. Married and father of two children, he had one grandchild.