Retired General Daudi Tonje Mourns Francis Ogolla: "He Trained And Mentored Many Pilots"

• Retired General Daudi Tonje was full of praise for departed Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla
• The former military's top general said that Ogolla had been excellent and dedicated since his formal years in the military
• Tonje said that Ogolla trained and mentored many pilots for the Kenya Air Force wing of the Kenya Defence Forces

Former Kenya Armed Forces Chief of Staff Retired General Daudi Tonje has mourned Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla, who died in a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18.

When was Daudi Tonje Kenya's top general?

Tonje served as Kenya's top soldier between 1996 and 2000, during the administration of former president Daniel Arap Moi.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Tonje eulogised Ogolla as a passionate and courageous general who served the defence forces with unmatched dedication.

He recalled how Ogolla rose from the lowest rank of the commissioned officers in the Kenya Defence Forces to become the country's four-star general.

He attributed Ogolla's rise to his commitment, passion, and vision for KDF and Kenya's security.

The Retired General described the late Ogolla as an excellent pilot for the Kenya Air Force wing of the Kenya Defence Forces.

Tonje recounted how Ogolla trained and mentored many pilots when the former served as a top soldier in Kenya's military.

"Ogolla was a distinguished Kenya Air Force officer. Through brilliance, hard work, and dedication, he rose from the rank of Lieutenant II through many other ranks to become Kenya's military Chief General.

"During my time, he was a pilot training our Kenya Air Force officers. He mentored many pilots, and it is sad that we have lost him,” Tonje mourned.

KDF vacuum

While acknowledging Ogolla's excellence, Tonje assured Kenyans that the military command was seamless and the CDF's death did not create a vacuum.

Tonje is celebrated for making numerous military reforms that improved the operations and services of Kenya Defence Forces.

Notable among his reforms was the introduction of the rotational appointment of four-star generals from all the branches of the Kenya Defence Forces.

The Kenya Defence Forces have three branches: the Kenya Army, the Kenya Navy, and the Kenya Air Force.

Ogolla was drawn from the Kenya Air Force, and the big question is whether the Defence Council will settle for someone from the branch to complete his term in a substantive capacity or whether the vice CDF from the Kenya Navy will be considered.

What you need to know about Ogolla's death

• Francis Ogolla died alongside nine other Kenya Defence Forces officers after their helicopter crashed on Thursday, April 18.
• Retired General Daudi Tonje is a decorated military officer remembered for the great reforms he put in place during his tenure.
• General Francis Ogolla will be buried in his Siaya home on Sunday, April 21. He was set to open a church on that day.

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