Kenya: 10 soldiers die, including the head of the Armed Forces, when a helicopter crashes

The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of KenyaGeneral Francis Omondi Ogolla and nine other soldiers died this Thursday when the Air Force helicopter in which they were traveling crashed in the west of the country, confirmed Kenyan President William Ruto.

“Today, at 2:20 pm (11:20 GMT), our nation suffered a tragic plane crash in (…) Elgeyo Marakwet. “I am deeply saddened to announce the death of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces,” Ruto said in a message to the country.

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“Next to him in the accident were eleven other brave soldiers: nine who also died with him and two survivors”, highlighted the president.

Aboard a Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter, Ogolla left Nairobi in the morning to visit troops deployed as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu against bandits operating in the crash area and inspect renovation work at five schools, the president explained.

“This is a moment of great sadness for me, as Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, the fraternity of Kenya Defense Forces fraternity and the nation in general. Our country has lost one of its bravest generals”, emphasized Ruto, who conveyed his “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims.

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The head of state also indicated that the Air Force sent an aerial investigation team to “establish the cause of the accident” and that the nation will observe a three-day mourning period starting this Friday.

During this period of national mourning, the Kenyan flag will be flown at half-mast throughout the country and at Kenyan embassies abroad.

Ogolla, 62 years old, was chief of the General Staff of the Armed forces from April 2023.

Another ten soldiers died in June 2021 and thirteen were injured in a helicopter crash. Kenya Air Force in an area about seventy kilometers from Nairobi during a training exercise.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.