Francis Ogolla Turned Down Mother's University Calling Letter, Chose To Serve In Military

• Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla recounted the day that he joined the military against his mother's proposal
• He said that his mother had a calling letter for university admission, but he told her he had made up his mind to serve the country as a soldier
• The general later advanced his studies and dedicated his Master of Arts and International Studies degree to his mother

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

On April 28, 2023, President William Ruto promoted Kenya's Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Francis Ogolla, to General and appointed him Chief of Defence Forces.

Who is Francis Ogolla's predecessor?

Ogolla took over from Retired General Robert Kibochi, who completed his tenure after taking over from former General Samson Mwathethe.

As he eulogised Ogolla, who died in a helicopter crash alongside nine other Kenya Defence Forces officers on Thursday, April 18, Ruto described Ogolla as a valiant four-star general.

During a mass in honour of the fallen general on Friday, April 19, Ruto said that appointing Ogolla as the CDF of Kenya Defence Forces was one of his proud appointments, as cited by the Daily Nation.

After taking the oath of office, Ogolla, during a thanksgiving meeting, thanked God and the president for entrusting him with the highest office and vowed to deliver diligently.

When did Francis Ogolla join the military?

Speaking during the event, Ogolla reminisced about joining the military in 1984 and rising through the ranks to become the country's top soldier.

He joined the military as a junior officer at Laikipia Airbase (LAB), where other personnel in the service prayed together.

The general said that after he began military training at Lanet, Nakuru, his mum insisted on him joining the university, but he opted to serve the country as a soldier.

"When I joined military training at Lanet, Nakuru, in 1984, my mum came with a calling letter from the university and implored me not to join the military but to join the university. I, however, told her that I had made up my mind to serve my country, and that’s why when I did my Master's degree, I dedicated it to her,” he said.

Francis Ogolla's academic qualifications

TUKO.co.ke established that Ogolla has a Diploma in International Studies and Military from Egerton University.

He advanced his studies, pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict, and Peace Studies, and graduated with First-Class Honours.

Ogolla also pursued a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, which he dedicated to his mother.

• General Francis Ogolla, who was set to serve as Kenya's top military General until 2025, will be succeeded by the vice chief of defence forces in an acting capacity
• Ogolla will be buried in his Siaya home on Sunday, April 21, according to his request as stated in his will
• Former military general Daudi Tonje mourned Ogolla and eulogised him as a dedicated military leader

Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

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General Francis Omondi Ogolla.

Francis Ogolla Turned Down Mother's University Calling Letter, Chose to

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