President William Ruto has declared a three-day mourning period to honour Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla.
General Ogolla, 61, along with other senior military officers, lost their lives following a helicopter crash that occurred in Chesegon, an area between West Pokot and Elgeiyo Marakwet Counties.
Ruto said this is a great moment of sadness not only for him, but also for the Defence Forces fraternity and the country at large.
"This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and the nation at large. Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and women.
"In honour of the life and the distinguished military career of the fallen general, who lost his life not just while in office, but in active military duty, the nation will observe 3 days of mourning commencing on Friday, April 19, 2024," Ruto said.
In addition to the three-day mourning period, the Kenyan flag will fly at half mast both within the country and in the missions abroad.
"During this time of national mourning, the Kenyan flag, the Kenya Defence Forces Flag, and the Eastern Africa community flag shall fly at half-mast in the Republic of Kenya and Kenya missions abroad," Ruto continued.
While condoling with the family of the departed soldiers, the Head of State lauded Ogolla as a soldier who was both distinguished and respected.
"The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me, and certainly, the sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya, and especially the KDF fraternity. A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty, and service to country.
"I convey my deepest condolences to all families who are grieving this untimely loss and our mourning nation. May the Almighty Lord rest their souls in peace and grant their families fortitude at this time of deep sorrow. I also wish a quick recovery to the two injured soldiers in this accident," he continued.
Investigation
The president also revealed that the Kenya Air Force, which was Ogolla's domain in the military, has constituted and dispatched an air investigations team, to establish the cause of the air crash.
Ogolla died while on duty and was visiting areas in the North Rift. At Chesiret in Baringo County, he was briefed on the security situation by a multi-agency team before he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County.
Ogolla and his team then left for Chesegon where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School. The general then flew to the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, but he did not get there as the helicopter crashed shortly after taking off.
