Francis Ogolla: Body Of Fallen KDF Chief General Arrives In Nairobi

• A brief interdenominational prayer session was held for the ten fallen KDF ranking officials on the evening of Thursday, April 18
• KDF chief general Francis Ogolla was among the fatalities of a nasty chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet
• Their bodies were airlifted to Nairobi moments later, with President William Ruto announcing a three-day national mourning in the deceased soldiers' honour

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

The bodies of deceased Chief General of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Francis Ogolla and nine others have been received in Nairobi.

Their remains, draped in the national flag, arrived at the Embakasi Garrison onboard a Kenya Airforce plane on the evening of Thursday, April 18.

Anguish was evident at the grounds as a brief interdenominational service was held in their honour.

Ogolla perished with his nine ranking colleagues in the military after their chopper fell in Elgeyo Marakwet.

President William Ruto confirmed in a televised address to the state on the evening of Thursday, April 18.

They were onboard a Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter that crashed in Keben on the border of the Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokoto counties.

Only two occupants of the ill-fated aircraft survived, according to the head of state.

The officials who died alongside Ogolla are 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.