Murkomen Denies Forming Team To Probe Chopper Crash: "We Don't Investigate Military Planes"

• Miguna Miguna slammed CS Kipchumba Murkomen for allegedly forming an investigation team to probe the demise of 10 KDF soldiers, including General Francis Ogolla
• President William Ruto stated that the team formed would give an honest and comprehensive report regarding the chopper crash
• Murkomen stated that the Department of Transport only deals with civilian aeroplanes a few days after issuing a gazette notice with a seven-member team to investigate the accident

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.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has denied establishing a team to probe the military aircraft crash that resulted in the tragic demise of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine other high-ranking soldiers.

Following the world-shaking accident, CS Murkomen announced in a gazette notice that a seven-member team had been established to thoroughly investigate the incident.

President William Ruto, speaking at General Ogolla's funeral, assured the public that comprehensive details regarding the crash would be disclosed.

Why did Miguna Miguna slam Kipchumba Murkomen?

However, lawyer Miguna Miguna criticised the CS's move, emphasising that only the head of state holds the authority to commission such investigations.

Miguna argued that, due to the CDF's higher rank compared to the deputy president and cabinet secretaries, any team formed by them lacks legal standing to probe the accident.

"Remember that no one except the President of the Republic has the mandate to set up a team investigating the death of Kenya’s Chief of Defence Staff. Not a cabinet secretary. The team announced by CS Kipchumba Murkomen cannot legally investigate and has no (technical and legal) capacity to investigate the circumstances surrounding General Ogolla’s death," he asserted.

What is Murkomen's response to Miguna?

Murkomen responded to Miguna's assertions. He clarified that his ministry does not have jurisdiction over military plane incidents.

"As a Department of Transport, we don’t investigate military planes. Our work is strictly restricted to civilian aeroplanes," he responded.

Oburu Odinga slams Joel Rabuku

On Sunday, April 21, Siaya senator Oburu Odinga urged General Francis Ogolla's son, Joel Rabuku, to allow the government to probe his father's death.

According to Oburu, Rabuku's remarks were aimed at halting the investigation process.

He claimed that most senior government officials hailing from Siaya had been killed hence the necessity to demand the truth.

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

• The First Lady Rachel Ruto shed tears when the late was being lowered in his grave
• Raila Odinga eulogised him as a patriotic citizen determined to serve the country
• Mumias East MP Peter Salasya slammed his Alego-Ugenya counterpart MP Samuel Atandi for not recognising him at the burial

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke