In Kenya, the head of the army and nine military officials killed in a helicopter crash

Kenya’s army chief, Francis Omondi Ogolla, and nine other military officials were killed on Thursday April 18 in a helicopter crash in the west of the country, President William Ruto announced.

“Today at 2:30 p.m. [heure locale, 13 h 30 à Paris]our nation experienced a tragic air accident in the Sindar region (…) in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces”declared the Kenyan head of state, following a meeting of the security council that he had called urgently.

“With him at the time of the accident were eleven other valiant soldiers, nine who also died with him, and two [qui ont survécu] »he added.

These military officials were visiting this region located 400 kilometers from Nairobi, notably to « visit troops deployed in the northern Rift Valley as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu [« mettre fin à la criminalité », en swahili] »intended to combat the groups of bandits who sow terror there, said William Ruto.

Devices often old and poorly maintained

The accident took place as they were leaving to inspect construction work at a recruit training center in neighboring Uasin Gishu County. “Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff”, declared the president. The Air Force dispatched a team of investigators to establish the causes of the accident.

According to President Ruto, the top brass were on board a Bell UH-1B helicopter, nicknamed “Huey”, an aircraft developed in the 1950s and widely used by the US military during the Vietnam War.

Kenyan media said it was the fifth military helicopter accident in 12 months, with the aircraft often being old and poorly maintained. In June 2021, at least ten soldiers were killed when their helicopter crashed during a training exercise south of Nairobi.

“A distinguished four-star general fell in the line of duty and in the service of the country”, Mr Ruto continued. The head of state also announced three days of mourning starting Friday. The bodies of the victims, draped in Kenyan flags, were returned to Nairobi aboard an air force plane late Thursday, according to images released by the presidency.

Many messages of condolences

Aged 61, Francis Omondi Ogolla was appointed head of the armed forces on April 29, 2023 by Mr. Ruto. According to Kenyan military regulations, the defense chief normally retires at age 62 or after four years of service, whichever comes first. A few weeks later, Mr. Ruto defended his choice, responding to those who, including in his close circle, accused Francis Omondi Ogolla of having tried to prevent his victory in the presidential election in August 2022.

The chairman of the electoral commission, Wafula Chebukati, said that the then number two in the army was part of a group of people who asked him not to declare William Ruto the winner against Raila Odinga. “When I looked at his CV, he was the best person to be [un] general “William Ruto told the press.

Having attended the Paris Military School and the National Defense College of Kenya, he began his career in April 1984 in the Air Force, according to the Kenyan Ministry of Defense website.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta hailed in a statement “not only an accomplished military leader, but also a dedicated patriot who dedicated his life to serving and protecting [le] pays ». Messages of condolences were also sent, among others, by the African Union, the East African Regional Grouping (IGAD) and the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union to Kenya.