Tragic Helicopter Crash Claims Life of Kenya's Military Chief

Nairobi, Kenya-In a devastating accident, General Francis Ogolla, Kenya’s military chief, along with nine others, perished in a helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon. The accident occurred at 2:20 pm local time (11:20 GMT) in Elgeyo Marakwet County, approximately 400 kilometers northwest of Nairobi as reported earlier.

This tragic incident took place shortly after the helicopter, carrying military personnel, took off near Cheptulel Boys Secondary School in West Pokot County.

President William Ruto, in a news conference, confirmed the deaths and expressed his profound sorrow over the loss of General Ogolla, describing him as one of the nation's most valiant generals. "The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me," said President Ruto. He also announced that two soldiers survived the crash and are currently receiving medical treatment in a hospital.

General Ogolla was a prominent figure in the Kenyan military, having joined in 1984 and trained as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force.

He later served as an instructor pilot at the Kenyan Air Force before ascending through the ranks to become the deputy military chief. Last year, he was promoted to the head of the military by President Ruto, despite past allegations of his involvement in a plot to overturn the result of the 2022 presidential election.

The helicopter was on a mission to visit troops deployed in northwest Kenya to combat ongoing cattle rustling activities when the tragedy struck.

The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, and an air investigation team has been dispatched to the site to determine the circumstances leading to this fatal accident.

This incident adds to a series of aviation tragedies affecting the Kenyan military, including a June 2021 crash near Nairobi that claimed the lives of at least ten soldiers. The region has also seen significant unrest, with numerous civilian and police fatalities.

As the nation mourns the loss of General Ogolla and the others who died in this tragic accident, the focus turns to investigating the crash to prevent future occurrences and to providing support to the families affected by this disaster.