Kenya’s Military Chief and Nine Others Die in Helicopter Crash

“I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the chief of the Kenyan Defense Force”. With those words Kenya’s president William Ruto announced the death of the country’s military chief Thursday evening.

“Together with him in the crash were eleven other graded military personnel. Nine who also passed on today, and two survivors” President Ruto added, describing Ogolla as a distinguished four-star general.

Remains of the victims of the KDF chopper crash arrive in Nairobi. https://t.co/ZCk6rFuqk7
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) April 18, 2024

The helicopter crashed in Kenya’s Rift Valley, in Elgeyo Marakwet county in the country’s west, around 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi. The helicopter caught fire, according to local media.

Francis Ogolla was born on February 12, 1962, according to Kenyan press accounts. On April 28, 2023, he was appointed Chief of Kenya’s Defence Forces. He is survived by his wife and two children.

To honor the deaths, the government has declared a three-day period of national mourning beginning Friday, April 19th.