Helicopter crash / Nine people including Kenya's defense chief killed in helicopter crash

Helicopter crash: Kenya's military chief Francis Omondi Ogola died in a helicopter crash on Thursday. Along with him, 9 more people aboard the helicopter also lost their lives. Kenyan President William Ruto informed of the incident in a televised address. He has declared national mourning for the next three days from Friday. In his address, Ruto said that General Francis Ogola and nine other members of the military lost their lives in a helicopter crash, CNN reported. Two people survived the accident. This accident happened on Thursday afternoon.

President Ruto further said – This is a sad time for me as Commander-in-Chief and the entire Kenya Defense Forces. Today is the most unfortunate day for the country. We lost one of our bravest generals.

Helicopter crashed immediately after take off

According to Ruto, Military Chief Ogola left Nairobi in the afternoon to meet troops in the country's Northern Rift region and inspect school renovation work. However, the helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff.

A team of investigating officers has been sent to the spot to find out the cause of the accident. The bodies of the deceased were also brought to Nairobi late Thursday night.

Who was Military Chief Francis Ogola?

According to state broadcaster Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), 61-year-old Ogola is the country's first military chief to die in service. He joined the Kenya Defense Forces in 1984. Ogola became a second lieutenant in 1985 before being posted to the Kenya Air Force.

President William Ruto had promoted Omondi Ogola to the rank of general in 2023. Ogola was appointed Chief of Defense Force. Before this he was holding the post of Vice Chief of Defense Force.