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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.
Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, is dead.
President William Ruto confirmed the death of the Chief of Kenya Defence Forces during a sombre address to the nation on Thursday, April 18.
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Ruto confirmed that Ogolla died alongside other high-ranking officers, including Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
Confirming the deaths, the head of state was short of words to describe the pain he was feeling after losing Kenya's military general and nine officers at once in the accident.
"This is a very sad moment. It is a moment of great sadness for me as the Commander in Chief of all the armed forces. It is a tragic moment for the KDF fraternity and a most unfortunate day for the nation at large. Our motherland has lost one of its most valiant generals and gallant officers, servicemen, and women," said Ruto.
Ruto described Ogolla as a distinguished four-star general who diligently served the nation.
"A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty and service to the country. I convey my deepest condolences to the families that are grieving this untimely loss and to our mourning nation as well," added a visibly heartbroken president.
He condoled the bereaved families and indicated that an investigation team from the Kenya Air Force had been dispatched to probe the cause of the helicopter crash.
"May the Almighty God rest their souls in peace and grant their families fortitude in this very deep sorrow. I also wish recovery to the two injured soldiers in this accident who are now in the hospital. The Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched an air investigation team to establish the cause of the air crash," Ruto assured.
The president categorically stated that the lives of the distinguished military officers must be honoured as they served the nation diligently and even died in the course of duty.
"In honour of the life and distinguished military career of the fallen general who lost his life in the office and active military duty, the nation will observe three days of mourning starting Friday, April 1, the Kenyan flag, the KDF flag, the East African Community flag, and the flags of all military formations will fly at half-mast in Kenya and Kenyan missions abroad," said Ruto.
The bodies of the deceased officers arrived in Nairobi shortly after Ruto addressed the nation and consoled the bereaved families.
Members of the National Assembly briefly paused the day's proceedings to find out about Kenya Defence Forces helicopter crash.
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