The last assignment: CDF Francis Ogolla's final movements revealed

President William Ruto has announced the death of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla and nine other senior military officers in a tragic helicopter crash at the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County on Thursday afternoon.

The Head of State, who addressed the nation at State House later in the evening, revealed the final moments of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Chief before his untimely demise.

General Ogolla had a myriad of activities on Thursday, where he had traversed four counties to visit troops deployed in the North Rift and to inspect ongoing school renovation works before the fatal crash.

“The CDF, onboard the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, had left Nairobi this morning, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovations works in schools,” Ruto stated.

The said institutions are: Chesitet Primary School, Cheptulel Boys High School, Chepoton Primary School, Ksaa Primary School, and Sablimoi Primary School.

General Ogolla is said to have chaired a security briefing at Chesitet in Baringo County, before departing for Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County where he addressed troops.

He then flew to Chesegon in West Pokot County to launch the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School, after which his next destination was set to be the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he was scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution.

The CDF, however, did not make it to his final destination as, according to President Ruto, “the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off.”

In his message of condolence, the Head of State mourned Ogolla as a “distinguished four-star General,” terming his death a loss to the country.

“This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and the nation at large. Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman,” he said.