Kenya’s military chief, General Francis Ogolla, lost his life in a helicopter crash in the country’s northwest, President William Ruto confirmed.
News About Nigeria gathered that the incident occurred at 2:20 pm (11:20 GMT) on Thursday in Elgeyo Marakwet County, approximately 400km (250 miles) northwest of Nairobi.
General Ogolla, along with nine other individuals, perished in the crash, while two soldiers survived the crash and are currently hospitalised.
The military aircraft had been on a visit to troops deployed in northwest Kenya to combat cattle rustling.
The helicopter crashed just minutes after taking off near Cheptulel Boys Secondary School in West Pokot County.
The cause of the crash remains unclear.
A senior police officer told AFP that the helicopter, which carried more than 10 senior commanders, burst into flames after it crashed.
“They were in the area on a security mission because there are KDF (Kenya Defence Forces) soldiers deployed in the region,” he said.
President Ruto has expressed condolences and ordered an air investigation team to determine the incident’s cause.
Ruto described General Ogolla’s death as a huge loss to the nation, acknowledging his valiant service to the country.
General Ogolla, who previously served as the head of the Kenyan Air Force, had been appointed by President Ruto last year to lead the military.
General Ogolla had a distinguished military career, joining the military in 1984 and receiving training as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force and as an instructor pilot at the Kenyan Air Force.
President Ruto’s decision to promote General Ogolla to the top military position last year was not without controversy.
Ruto accused him of involvement in a plot to overturn the results of the 2022 presidential election but defended the appointment, citing Ogolla’s qualifications for the role.
The crash comes amid ongoing unrest in northwestern Kenya, where civilians and security forces have suffered casualties.
