Kenya’s military chief, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, has died after a military helicopter crashed in the west of the country, the president said.

Ogolla, Kenya’s top military figure, was among 11 other military personnel aboard a helicopter that tragically crashed, leaving only two survivors. President William Ruto, addressing the nation in a press conference, expressed profound sorrow over the incident, which prompted him to call for an urgent security council meeting.

President Ruto stated that the crash occurred at 14:20 local time, and the Kenyan air force promptly dispatched an investigative team to ascertain the cause. The helicopter went down in Elgeyo Marakwet county, approximately 400km northwest of Nairobi, shortly after takeoff.

Appointed to his position in April of the previous year, Ogolla had previously served as the air force commander and deputy chief of defense forces. President Ruto hailed him as a courageous officer who perished while serving his duty, lamenting the loss to the nation.

Kenya will observe a three-day mourning period starting Friday, with flags lowered to half-mast. Ogolla, whose military service began on April 24, 1984, was set to celebrate 40 years in the armed forces the following week.

He commenced his career as a 2nd lieutenant in the air force, training as a fighter pilot with the US air force before assuming command of the air force in 2018.

Among the casualties were Brig Swale Saidi, Col Duncan Keittany, Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Benson Magondu, Capt Sora Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Snr Sgt John Kinyua Mureithi, Sgt Cliphonce Omondi, and Sgt Rose Nyawira.

The African Union Commission, through its chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, extended condolences to Kenya, its president, government, and citizens.

The two survivors remain in critical condition, receiving medical care. The officers were on a mission to the North Rift region, plagued by banditry, to reopen schools closed due to attacks and to assess the deployment of military personnel in stabilizing the area.

This tragic incident echoes a similar helicopter crash in June 2021, where at least 10 soldiers lost their lives during a landing near Nairobi.

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