Kenya's army leader dies in helicopter crash – BBC Information

Via Ian WafulaBBC Information safety correspondent, Nairobi18 April 2024, 17:43 BSTUpdated 1 minute agoImage caption, President Ruto is observed with the manager of the Kenya Defence Forces Normal Francis Ogolla on this picture on 28 FebruaryKenya’s army leader, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, has died after an army helicopter crashed within the west of the rustic, the president mentioned.Gen Ogolla – Kenya’s best score army officer – used to be within the helicopter along 11 different army team of workers. Most effective two folks survived. In a information convention, President William Ruto mentioned it used to be a “second of significant unhappiness” for the rustic.He had previous convened an pressing safety council assembly.Mr Ruto mentioned the crash took place at 14:20 native time (12:20 BST). The Kenya Air Power has dispatched an air investigation group 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 in a while after take off,” Mr Ruto mentioned.Gen Ogolla used to be appointed through Mr Ruto in April ultimate 12 months, after serving because the Commander of the Air Power and Deputy Leader of Defence Forces. Mr Ruto described Gen Ogolla -who used to be additionally the manager army adviser to the president – as a gallant officer who died within the line of responsibility. Symbol supply, Getty Pictures”Our motherland has misplaced certainly one of her maximum valiant generals, gallant officials, carrier males and lady,” Mr Ruto informed the country.The country will practice a three-day length of mourning, setting out on Friday 19 April. The flags within the Republic of Kenya and in Kenyan missions out of the country will fly at part mast, Mr Ruto mentioned. Gen Ogolla first joined the Kenya Defence Forces on 24 April 1984, in line with the Kenyan defence ministry’s site. He used to be because of mark 40 years within the army subsequent week. He started his profession as a 2d Lt within the nation’s air drive, the place he skilled as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Power, the ministry says. In 2018, he become Commander of the Kenya Air Power – a job which he held till turning into the rustic’s army leader.9 others killed within the crash have been senior army officials: 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.The 2 survivors are in essential situation and present process remedy.The officials had travelled to Kenya’s North Rift area, which has been plagued through banditry.They have been on a challenge to reopen one of the crucial colleges closed following bandit assaults. That they had additionally visited army officials deployed to stabilise the area. The incident marks the second one time in 3 years {that a} helicopter crash has killed a minimum of 10 army officials in Kenya.A minimum of 10 squaddies have been killed in June 2021 when their helicopter crashed whilst touchdown close to the capital of Nairobi.

Author: OpenAI