Kenya is in mourning following a tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of its defense chief, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, and nine other senior military officers.
The accident occurred shortly after takeoff in a remote area of northwestern Kenya. President William Ruto announced the deaths, expressing condolences and declaring three days of national mourning. The nation paid tribute to the fallen heroes, with flags flown at half-mast both domestically and at Kenyan missions abroad.
The victims, including General Ogolla, were honored as their bodies, draped in Kenyan flags, were returned to a military base in Nairobi. General Ogolla, appointed just a year prior, had dedicated almost four decades to military service. His daughter, Lorna Ogolla, commemorated her father’s legacy on Linkedin, highlighting his lifelong commitment to safeguarding Kenya.
Condolences poured in from neighboring countries and foreign diplomatic missions. General Ogolla had been visiting troops in the North Rift region as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu, aimed at combating insecurity caused by armed bandits and cattle rustlers.
President Ruto announced an investigation into the crash involving a Huey helicopter, amid concerns about the safety of Kenya’s military aircraft fleet. Reports indicate this is the fifth armed forces helicopter crash in a year, raising questions about the maintenance of the aging fleet.
This tragedy echoes a similar incident in June 2021 when a helicopter crash claimed the lives of at least 10 soldiers during a training exercise near Nairobi.
