Video: General Ogolla Had Resigned From Military But Was Convinced To Stay, Details Emerge

• Francis Ogolla was convinced to stay in the Military by the late general Nick Leshan, who saw potential in him, according to his narration in the video
• Ogolla recalled that Leshan told him he would one day become the Airforce Commander
• The celebrated general passed on in a chopper crash on Thursday, April 18, at Kaben, Elgeyo Marakwet county

An undated video showing the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) general Francis Ogolla narrating how he resigned from the military has emerged.

The video displayed was from the funeral service of the late Airforce commander General Nick Leshan, who passed on in 2021.

While eulogising him, General Ogolla narrated how the late Leshan spotted his talent and immense potential way before he could rise to the helm of the military.

He narrated how he resigned from the military at one point in 1998, but General Leshan spoke to him for three hours, convincing him to stay.

"In 1998, I resigned from the military ...He spoke to me for three hours and when he finished this were his words, Francis you have the potential to be the Airforce commander go back and work. So I picked my resignation letter and went back," Ogolla said.

Ogolla added that he found himself walking in Nishan's vision 20 years later when he was promoted to Airforce commander.

"I remembered his words and I drove with my wife all the way to Narok and we sat with him and I thanked him for his vision and wisdom," he said.

" He spoke to me again for three hours and those books general Karangi talked about he brought them to me and said am glad you listened."

How did general Ogolla die?

Francis Ogolla passed on in a chopper crash on Thursday, April 18 at Kaben, Elgeyo Marakwet county.

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

The ill-fated Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter was ferrying its occupants to the bandit-stricken north rift region on a working visit.

They were visiting troops deployed in the region under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, besides their inspection of the renovation works in a host of schools there.

In honour of Ogolla, the president proclaimed that the nation would observe a period of three days of mourning commencing this Friday, April 19.

What else you need to know about Ogolla's send-off

General Ogolla was buried on Sunday, April 21 in Ng'iya Siaya County, just 72 hours after he passed away in a chopper crash.

According to his wish, he was interred without a coffin but instead wrapped in sheets before his demise.

While speaking during the burial of Francis Ogolla, President William Ruto assured the public of a thorough government investigation into the incident.