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Francis Omondi Ogolla

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Francis Omondi Ogolla

CBS; EGH; HSC
Born(1962-02-12)12 February 1962
Nyanza Province, Kenya (today Siaya County)
Died18 April 2024(2024-04-18) (aged 62)
Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya
Allegiance Kenya
Service / branchKenya Air Force
Years of service1984–2024
RankGeneral
Commands

General Francis Omondi Ogolla (12 February 1962 – 18 April 2024)[1] was a Kenyan military officer who served from April 2023 to April 2024 as the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Biography

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Ogolla joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 1984. He began his career as a 2nd lieutenant in the Kenyan Air Force and received training as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force. In 2018, he became Commander of the Kenya Air Force[2] and later Vice Chief of Defence Forces.[citation needed] He was appointed Chief of Defence Forces by President William Ruto after the retirement of General Robert Kariuki Kibochi in April 2023. At the time, Ogolla's appointment raised controversy after the head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission accused him of being part of a national security council delegation that tried to influence the result of the 2022 general election against the eventual winner, Ruto, who defended Ogolla citing his qualifications.[1]

Ogolla studied and graduated from the École Militaire de Paris, the National Defence College of Kenya, Egerton University and the University of Nairobi.[1] He was a recipient of several awards, including the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (EGH) and Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS).[3]

Personal life

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Ogolla was married to Aileen and had two children and a grandchild.[1]

Death

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Ogolla died in a helicopter crash on 18 April 2024 in Sindar, Elgeyo-Marakwet County[4] at 2:20 pm. Nine other military personnel also died, while two were injured.[2][5][6] The aircraft was a Bell UH-1H Huey II operated by the 53 Tactical Helicopter Squadron of the Kenyan Air Force.[7] The crash occurred while they were on a mission to reopen schools in the North Rift region following bandit attacks and to inspect soldiers involved in stabilisation operations.

President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning for his death, beginning on 19 April.[2] Condolences were also expressed by former president Uhuru Kenyatta,[8] US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan,[9] and President of Somalia's Jubaland State, Ahmed Mohamed Islam.[10]

A memorial service was held for Ogolla in Nairobi on 20 April, followed by a state funeral in his hometown of Ngiya, Siaya County on 21 April.[11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Kenya's military chief dies in a helicopter crash". AP News. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Kenya's military chief dies in helicopter crash". BBC News. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  3. ^ "General Francis Omondi Ogolla". Briceka. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  4. ^ "President Ruto announces death of Kenya military chief Francis Ogolla". The EastAfrican. 19 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Kenya Military Helicopter Crashes With Defence Chief On Board: Police". www.barrons.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Kenya's military chief among 10 people killed in helicopter crash". Reuters. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Accident Bell UH-1 Huey". aviation-safety.net. Archived from the original on 18 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  8. ^ Wanambisi, Laban (19 April 2024). "Kenya: Uhuru Mourns Gen Ogolla As a Devoted Patriot". Capital FM. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Statement from National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on Helicopter Crash in Kenya". The White House. 18 April 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  10. ^ @PresidentMadobe (19 April 2024). "I extend my deepest condolences to the President, the Government, and the People of the Republic of Kenya following tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Kenya Defence Forces General Francis Omondi Ogolla and several high-ranking Kenyan military officials" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Khaduli, Bernadette (21 April 2024). "Farewell To General Ogolla". Kenya News Agency. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by
Samuel Nganga Thuita
 Commander of the Kenyan Air Force
2018–2021 		Succeeded by
John Mugaravai Omenda
Preceded by Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya
2023–2024 		Succeeded by
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