The late Francis Ogolla. He died in a chopper crash on April 18.

Kenya Defence Forces Top Military Ranks Francis Ogolla Rose Through To Become CDF

The late Francis Ogolla. He died in a chopper crash on April 18.

  • The late CDF general Francis Omondi Ogolla served in the military since April 1984 under different capacities
  • He was appointed as CDF position by President William Ruto in April 2023 making to occupy the highest position in the military
  • General Francis Ogolla has died in a chopper crash on April 18 alongside nine other ranking military officials who also died in the crash as two occupants survived.

PAY ATTENTION: TUKO is in WhatsApp Channels now! Subscribe and read news in favourite messenger.

The late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla who died in a chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet rose through various military ranks before becoming the most decorated soldier in the country.

President William Ruto promoted Ogolla to serve as chief of defence forces on April 2023. Ogolla served as a general of the highest rank in the military since his appointment.

He took over the position from Robert Kibochi who had retired after 44 years of service in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

Ogolla was a four-star general, a rank only reserved for the CDF. At any given time, there can only be one four-star general in the military.

PAY ATTENTION: Share your outstanding story with our editors! Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.

In the position of CDF, his responsibilities also included serving as the principal military adviser to the president and Cabinet. Ogolla served in the military for close to 40 years.

He is also the first CDF general to die in office.

Here are ranks that Ogolla passed through before becoming the country's CDF;

Deputy Chief of Defence Forces

Ogolla was appointed to the position of vice chief of the defence forces on July 23, 2021.

Deputy CDF is a three-star general and holds the rank of lieutenant general.

Major General

Major generals are officers holding the rank of two-star generals, encompassing service commanders of the Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy.

Brigadier

For one to become a brigadier they must have completed a minimum of 12 years of service in the military, demonstrating outstanding performance.

Colonel

These individuals serve as KDF staff, having received training at the Defence Staff College.

Lieutenant-colonel

These consist of seasoned officers capable of leading up to 600 troops.

Major

This is a position that is held by soldiers who have served up to eight years. The is mostly involved in the decision-making process.

Captain

This is a category where one must have served up to six years. The captain is usually in charge of up to 50 officers.

Lieutenant

This is a position held by officers who have served from three to five years in the military.

Second Lieutenant

This is the lowest ranked commissioned officers in the Kenya Defence Forces. This position is mostly occupied by junior officers from training college.

Ogolla's training as a fighter pilot

General Ogolla joined the military in April 1984 and got commissioned to the position of second lieutenant in 1985.

Upon his commissioning, he was assigned to the Kenya Air Force, where he commenced his military journey as a fighter jet pilot.

He underwent training as a fighter pilot and instructor pilot through the United States Air Force, supplemented by instruction in diverse fields including imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism, and accident investigation.

How Ogolla died

General Francis Ogolla died in a chopper crash on April 18.

Ogolla was onboard a KDF plane that crashed in Keben on the border of the Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties.

In his company were, nine other ranking military officials who also died in the crash; two occupants survived.

Francis Ogolla's send off

  • The late KDF boss Francis Ogolla's son Joel Rabuku has spoken for the first time since his dad's death.
  • General Francis Ogolla, who was set to serve as Kenya's top military General until 2025, will be succeeded by the vice chief of defence forces in an acting capacity.
  • The late Francis Ogolla will be laid to rest this Sunday, April 21.

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

PAY ATTENTION:check out news exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Nairobi County Asked To Account For KSh 140m France Donation To Dishi Na County Programme
Kenyan Doctors Ink Deal With Gov't To End Strike After 56 Days
Mombasa: Family Seeks Justice After Daughter's Lover Douses Her With Hot Oil

The late Francis Ogolla. He died in a chopper crash on April 18.
The late Francis Ogolla. He died in a chopper crash on April 18.
Kenya Defence Forces Top Military Ranks Francis Ogolla Rose Through to
Kenya Defence Forces Top Military Ranks Francis Ogolla Rose Through to
President Ruto appoints Gen Francis Ogolla the new Chief of Defence
President Ruto appoints Gen Francis Ogolla the new Chief of Defence