Kenya’s defence chief and nine other top brass have d!ed in a military helicopter crash in a remote area of the country
The accident happened today.
Kenya’s President, William Ruto announced their d3ath.
“Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident… I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla,” Ruto told reporters.
The president, who had convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council after news of the accident emerged, said nine other “gallant military personnel” on board were also k!lled while two survived.
He said the Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which took place in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 400 kilometres (250 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi.
The helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff from Chesegon, where he and his entourage had been visiting a school, Ruto said.
“A distinguished four-kistar general has fallen in the course of duty and in the service of the country,” he said.
“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman.”
Ruto announced three days of mourning from Friday, with official flags flying at half mast.
He said Ogolla, 61, had left Nairobi on Thursday morning on an Air Force Huey helicopter to visit troops deployed in the North Rift area in Operation Maliza Uhalifu (Operation End Crime in Swalihi), and other sites.
Kenyan authorities have long battled insecurity in the Rift Valley region, with armed bandits and cattle rustlers rampant.
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It’s so sad
Rip to the dead