- By Ian Wafula, African security correspondent and Malu Corsino
- In Nairobi and London
The Kenyan army commander, General Francis Omondi Ogola, died after a military helicopter crashed in the west of the country, the Kenyan president said.
General Ojola, Kenya's highest-ranking military officer, was on board the helicopter along with 11 other military personnel. Only two people survived.
At a press conference, President William Ruto said it was a “moment of great sadness” for the country.
He had previously called for an urgent meeting of the Security Council.
Mr Ruto said the incident occurred at 14:20 local time (12:20 GMT). The President said that the Kenya Air Force sent an air investigation team to find out the cause of the accident.
The helicopter crashed in Elgeo Marakwet County, about 400 kilometers northwest of the capital, Nairobi. “Unfortunately, the plane crashed shortly after take-off,” Ruto said.
General Ojola was appointed by Mr Ruto in April last year, after serving as Air Force Commander and Deputy Chief of Defense Forces.
Ruto described General Ojola – who was also the president's chief military advisor – as a brave officer who died in the line of duty.
Image source, Getty Images
“Our nation has lost one of its most courageous generals, brave officers and service men and women,” Ruto told the nation.
The country is scheduled to witness a three-day period of mourning, starting on Friday, April 19. Ruto said that flags in the Republic of Kenya and in Kenyan missions abroad will be flown at half mast.
General Ojola first joined the Kenya Defense Forces on April 24, 1984, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Defense website.
He was scheduled to celebrate 40 years of his military service next week.
The ministry says he began his career as a second lieutenant in the country's air force, where he trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force. In 2018, he became Commander of the Kenya Air Force, a role he held until he became the country's military leader.
Nine others killed in the incident were senior military officers: Brigadier General Sawal Saidi, Colonel Duncan Kitani, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawi, Major George Benson Magundu, Captain Soura Mohammed, Captain Hilary Litale, Staff Sergeant John Kinyua Muriithi, Sergeant Kleibhonse Omondi, and Sergeant Rose. Nyawira.
The two survivors are in critical condition and are undergoing treatment.
The officers had traveled to the North Rift region in Kenya, which suffers from banditry.
They were on a mission to reopen some schools that were closed after bandit attacks. They also visited military officers deployed to stabilize the region.
This accident marks the second time in three years that a helicopter crash has killed at least 10 military officers in Kenya.
At least 10 soldiers were killed in June 2021 when their helicopter crashed while landing near the capital, Nairobi.
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