Kenya’s defense chief and eight other senior officers have died in a helicopter crash, as confirmed by President William Ruto. The crash occurred on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of nine individuals, including key military officials.
Among those who perished was General Francis Ogolla, the Chief of Defence Forces for Kenya. He was one of the 11 military personnel aboard the helicopter. Two survivors are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.
“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals,” President Ruto said, expressing his grief over the loss of General Ogolla. “The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me,” he added.
During a press conference, President Ruto offered his condolences to the families of the deceased, calling the crash a “tragic moment.” A report from the Voice of America (VOA) also confirmed the incident and provided further details on the casualties.
In response to the tragedy, President Ruto convened an urgent meeting of the Kenyan Security Council.
General Ogolla had previously served as the head of the Kenyan Air Force before being appointed as the deputy military chief. President Ruto promoted him to lead the military last year, acknowledging his qualifications for the position despite prior accusations of involvement in an attempt to overturn the 2022 presidential election results.
