Kenya’s army chief, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, has died after a army helicopter crashed within the west of the nation, the president mentioned.
Gen Ogolla – Kenya’s highest rating army officer – was within the helicopter alongside 11 different army personnel. Solely two individuals survived.
In a information convention, President William Ruto mentioned it was a “second of nice unhappiness” for the nation.
He had earlier convened an pressing safety council assembly.
Mr Ruto mentioned the crash occurred at 14:20 native time (12:20 BST). The Kenya Air Pressure has dispatched an air investigation staff to determine the reason for the crash, the president mentioned.
The helicopter got here down in Elgeyo Marakwet county, some 400km (250 miles) north-west of the capital Nairobi. “Sadly, the plane crashed shortly after take off,” Mr Ruto mentioned.
Gen Ogolla was appointed by Mr Ruto in April final 12 months, after serving because the Commander of the Air Pressure and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.
Mr Ruto described Gen Ogolla -who was additionally the chief army adviser to the president – as a gallant officer who died within the line of obligation.
“Our motherland has misplaced one among her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service males and lady,” Mr Ruto instructed the nation.
The nation will observe a three-day interval of mourning, commencing on Friday 19 April. The flags within the Republic of Kenya and in Kenyan missions overseas will fly at half mast, Mr Ruto mentioned.
Gen Ogolla first joined the Kenya Defence Forces on 24 April 1984, in accordance with the Kenyan defence ministry’s web site.
He was as a result of mark 40 years within the army subsequent week.
He started his profession as a 2nd Lt within the nation’s air drive, the place he skilled as a fighter pilot with the US Air Pressure, the ministry says. In 2018, he turned Commander of the Kenya Air Pressure – a task which he held till turning into the nation’s army chief.
9 others killed within the crash had been senior army officers: Brig Swale Saidi, Col Duncan Keittany, Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Benson Magondu, Capt Sora Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Snr Sgt John Kinyua Mureithi, Sgt Cliphonce Omondi, and Sgt Rose Nyawira.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Fee, mentioned “our ideas and prayers” exit to Kenya’s president, authorities and other people following the “tragic helicopter accident”.
The 2 survivors are in important situation and present process therapy.
The officers had travelled to Kenya’s North Rift area, which has been tormented by banditry.
They had been on a mission to reopen a number of the faculties closed following bandit assaults. They’d additionally visited army officers deployed to stabilise the area.
The incident marks the second time in three years {that a} helicopter crash has killed no less than 10 army officers in Kenya.
Not less than 10 troopers had been killed in June 2021 when their helicopter crashed whereas touchdown close to the capital of Nairobi.
