Francis Ogolla: Bunge FC Hold Candle Lighting In Memory Of Late KDF Boss

• General Francis Ogolla was buried three days after the tragic accident that claimed the lives of nine other soldiers
• Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot described him as an active sportsman who set the pace for his colleagues
• He disclosed that the fallen KDF boss gave them access to Ulinzi Sports Complex, where they are currently conducting their training

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Kenya continues to mourn the loss of Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, who tragically perished alongside nine other KDF soldiers in a plane crash in the Chesugon area of Elgeyo-Marakwet on April 18.

General Ogolla was laid to rest just three days after the crash, a timeline that some felt was insufficient for the nation to properly grieve his passing.

In a heartfelt gesture of remembrance, Bunge FC, led by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Rarieda Member of Parliament, Otiende Amollo, honoured the fallen leader alongside their teammates.

Why Bunge FC lit candles to honour General Ogolla

The parliamentarians paid tribute to General Ogolla by lighting candles in his memory, holding a brief prayer session, and then completing a lap in his honour.

In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, Senator Cheruiyot, also representing Kericho, lauded the late General Ogolla as a committed and exemplary leader who set a high standard for his colleagues.

He also revealed that the fallen KDF hero granted them access to the Ulinzi Sports Complex.

"He was an active sportsman and dedicated to his work. Our training here was courtesy of the General who granted us access to this facility. We always found him on these grounds as early as 5:45am running 10 laps together with his soldiers. By the time we arrived here at 6am, he was almost halfway through his session," he said.

MP Amollo conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Ogolla family and the entire nation.

"We will dearly miss his presence on these grounds. May God Comfort his family and Kenya at large," he stated.

Bunge FC is currently training at the Ulinzi Complex as they prepare for the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) Games which Kenya will host later this year.

Murkomen denies forming chopper crash investigating team

Following the demise of the 10 KDF soldiers, a gazette notice was issued to probe the accident that shook the world.

However, a day after General Ogolla's death, Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen denied forming the seven-member team to conduct the investigation.

He clarified that his ministry was not mandated to probe the KDF choppers but only private and commercial planes.

What you need to know about General Francis Ogolla's death

• The family of the pilot of the ill-fated helicopter have decried the massive gap left by their kin, Major Benson Magondu
• Siaya senator Oburu Odinga urged the late General's son Joel Rabuku to allow a probe into his father's death
• President Willam Ruto assured that the investigation team would give honest details about the crash

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