Francis Ogolla: Last Images Of KDF Chief General Training With Other Soldiers Emerge

• Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla died in a helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet county
• President William Ruto mourned Ogolla as a valiant general, as the fallen soldier's daughter paid tribute to her dad
• Images of an energetic-looking Ogolla jogging with other soldiers two days before the crash surfaced on social media

Kenya is in mourning following the death of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Francis Ogolla in a helicopter crash.

How did General Francis Ogolla die?

The four-star general was travelling with 11 other military officers when the chopper crashed shortly after take-off.

"Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident... I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla," Ruto told reporters, adding that nine other officers were also killed while two survived.

The Kenya Air Force dispatched an air investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which took place in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

Ruto announced three days of mourning from Friday.

Last photos of General Francis Ogolla

Photos of an energetic-looking Ogolla two days before the tragic accident have surfaced online.

On Tuesday, April 16, the general visited the Defence Headquarters Camp Administration Unit.

Ogolla attended the conclusion of the first phase of the Defence Forces Physical Readiness Test at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang’ata.

Images shared on X depicted Ogolla in a red KDF jacket and black trousers. In one image, Ogolla measures his height as the troops watched. Another image showed Ogolla jogging around a track with soldiers.

What did Francis Ogolla’s daughter say?

The fallen soldier’s daughter, Lorna Omondi Ogolla, mourned her father.

"My father. Pursuer of excellence. The most empathetic and effective leader and statesman died in a chopper crash in West Pokot. Doing what he did best for the better part of the last 40 years - trying to keep Kenya safe," Lorna wrote in part on LinkedIn.

She said that one day, she would narrate the beautiful stories of how his father taught "with his actions and not with his words".