The family of the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla has revealed that the deceased planned his burial way before his death which happened on April 18, 2024.
Speaking to the media from his ancestral home in Mor village, Alego Usonga, Siaya County, CDF Ogolla's elder brother Canon Hezekiah Oduor said the late general laid down an elaborate plan for his burial.
Oduor said that Ogolla instructed their family to bury him within 72 hours of his death.
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"There is a time we talked with him and he told us that he would wish that he is buried within 72 hours, he doesn't want a funeral which would run for many days. And even showed us that 'if I die bury me here', in his home," Canon Oduor said.
Ogolla's elder brother noted that the deceased insisted that his burial wish must be honoured and even warned their sister whom he thought would oppose his will.
"And he even questioned my sister there he told her that you are the one who is always stubborn, don't bring problem during that time," Oduor said.
"She gave up and said let the plans go as planned. The sister is seated here," he added.
Ogolla's elder brother reiterated that the departed CDF insisted on being buried as per his wish and strongly warned their stubborn sister not to interfere with his wish.
"He decided yes, and told us and even warned the sister here 'that you are the one who is normally very stubborn and argumentative, please don't bring problems during that day'," Canon Oduor stated.
Ogolla's death
President William Ruto announced the death of General Francis Ogolla in a helicopter crash on Thursday afternoon April 18, 2024.
Addressing the press in the evening, President Ruto said the military chopper crashed at the Sindar area in Elgeyo Marakwet County at around 2:20 pm.
"Today, at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident in the Sindar area, Keben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces," he said.
Ruto went on to announce that the ill-fated helicopter was also carrying 11 other military officers, nine of whom were killed alongside CDF Ogolla in the crash, leaving only two survivors.
The deceased were; Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu (Pilot), Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya alliance leader Raila Odinga has called for a thorough investigation into the chopper accident that claimed the life of departed CDF.
Similarly, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka raised questions concerning the last assignment by the late Ogolla.
Kalonzo lamented about what he termed as an unprecedented breach of security for the departed CDF, noting that Ogolla is the first Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) top boss to die in office in a chopper crash.
Additional reporting by Mary Goretty.
