On Thursday April 18, the country was thrown into mourning following the death of the Chief of Defence Forces(CDF) Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla. Ogolla died along with 9 other military officers after the chopper they were travelling in crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet shortly after take off, while on official duty.
The other officers have been identified as; Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
Fortunately, two of the chopper occupants escaped death and are receiving treatment.
While making an official announcement on the loss of senior officers from the forces, President William Ruto, who is the commander in chief, announced that the country will observe a three day mourning, with all Kenyan flags and forces flags flying half-mast.
“Today at 2:20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident at Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo-Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. Together with him in the crash were eleven other gallant military personnel, 9 who also passed on and two survivors,” the head of state said.
Remains of the victims of the KDF chopper crash arrive in Nairobi. https://t.co/0FzXAF5QxN
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 18, 2024
“This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and the nation at large. Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman,” he went on, adding that;
“The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me, and certainly, the sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya, and especially the KDF fraternity. A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty, and service to country.”
Ogolla becomes the first CDF to pass on while in office. He was appointed to office by President Ruto in April 28, 2023 and was due to retire in 2025. Ruto, in his official statement, however did not issue a guideline on the next move.
The Chief of Defence Forces is however appointed by the President following recommendations from the Defence Council, according to Section 23 of The Kenya Defence Forces Act. The council is made up of the Defence Cabinet Secretary, Defence Principal Secretary, CDF and the three commanders of the Defence forces.
The CDF is appointed on a rotational basis between the Navy, Airforce and the Army, what is popularly known as the Tonje Rules. The Tonje Rules came after former KDF Chief of Staff Daudi Tonje, who served during Daniel Moi’s era, made major reforms in the forces.
Following Ogolla’s demise, the Defence Council has two options in finding his successor. The first option is to recommend new CDF from the Air Force, who would complete the term that Ogolla would have served. Ogolla was appointed from the Airforce and he succeeded Gen. Robert Kibochi who was from the army.
The second option is to observe the Tonje rules, which automatically means that the next CDF would come from the Navy.
Meanwhile, Ogolla’s Deputy Charles Muriu Kahariri will now take over the Defence Forces but in acting capacity until the succession process is concluded.