Kenya’s Military Chief Francis Ogolla laid to Rest

By Samuel Ouma

Kenya's military chief was laid to rest on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at his Alego home in Siaya County in a colourful ceremony complete with a 19-gun salute.

The late Ogolla was among nine individuals who perished in a helicopter crash on April 18, 2024, in Elgeyo Marakwet, in the Rift Valley.

President William Ruto led the country in giving the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) a decent send in a ceremony graced by a mammoth crowd.

Ruto described the deceased as an exemplary military officer, a passionate commander and a patriot of great humility and integrity.

“Many people do not understand the loss that we have incurred as a country. There are very few leaders who can fit in the categorisation and shoes of General Ogolla,” he said.

The Kenyan leader assured Kenyans of thorough investigations on the cause of the accident that claimed the military boss’ life and his 8 other officers.

“I want to assure the country that KDF and the Kenya Air Force have the requisite integrity and professionalism to make sure that there will be no shroud of doubt on what happened to General Ogolla,” he said.

At the same them, Ruto dismissed claims of extrajudicial killings and political assassinations, saying they would not happen under his watch.

“There shall never be extrajudicial killings or political assassinations. It will never happen again that bodies float in River Yala. Not under my watch,” he said.