A year on, Gen Ogolla's crash still unexplained

A year has passed since the tragic death of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Omondi Ogolla, yet the government has not released findings from its investigation into the military helicopter crash that claimed his life.

The Canadian company tasked with analysing the wreckage and engine has not returned them to Kenya, further delaying inquiries into the crash that killed the General and nine other officers. The cause of the accident remains unclear.

“From the company, the wreckage was then taken to an investigation agency, and it has taken too long to return,” a Transport ministry official told The Standard.

By press time, the company had not responded to The Standard’s email inquiries.

Similarly, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) spokesperson Brigadier Paul Njuguna had not responded to calls and texts to explain the investigation’s status despite President William Ruto’s promise of transparency.

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“The Kenya Defence Forces have the requisite integrity and professionalism to ensure no shroud of doubt remains about what happened to General Ogolla,” Ruto said after the tragedy.

General Ogolla died on April 18, 2024 when a KDF helicopter crashed in Sindar, Kaben, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The aircraft (KAF 1501), operated by the 53 Helicopter Squadron, carried 12 people. It crashed shortly after takeoff in northwestern Kenya.

While two survivors were hospitalised, their testimonies remain undisclosed.

Among the deceased was pilot Major George Benson Magondu.

Other victims included Brigadier Swaleh Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keitany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Captain Sorah Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinywa Mureithi, Sergeant Cliffonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

Opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka demanded an independent investigation, citing historical concerns about politically linked deaths in Nyanza.

Even Ruto-aligned ODM leaders criticised the military-led probe, advocating instead for a Transport ministry inquiry.

At Senator Barack Obama Primary School in Siaya, Ruto assured professionalism: “The KDF shares my concern about General Ogolla’s death. No doubt will remain about its circumstances.”

He ruled out extra-judicial killings or political assassinations under his watch.

Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga expressed regional unease: “While we accept this was likely an accident, Nyanza’s history of unexplained deaths justifies our wariness.”

Ruto declared three days of national mourning from April 19, with flags at half-mast nationwide and at foreign missions.

Ogolla had departed Nairobi that morning to visit North Rift troops and inspect five school renovations, including Cheptulel Boys High School in West Pokot. The crash occurred en route to Uasin Gishu’s Recruits Training School.

Kenya Air Force deployed an investigation team immediately after the crash, however, by October 2024, no official report had been released despite questioning air force pilots who had previously flown the helicopter.

General Ogolla was buried in his hometown in Siaya County. President Ruto eulogized him as a “gallant officer” who served his country with dedication: “Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals.”

Ogolla joined KDF on April 24, 1984, and was set to mark 40 years of service in 2024. He trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force.