General Francis Ogolla’s burial plans in top gear
Chief of Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla, who died on Thursday in a helicopter crash, will be buried on Sunday.
On Friday, the family issued a statement detailing the burial plans.
The family said the deceased CDF will be laid to rest on Sunday (April 21, 2024) at his home in Alego, Siaya County.
The Ministry of Defense, in a statement issued by Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, said a Military Honors ceremony will be held on Saturday (April 20, 2024), at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata beginning 1pm.
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Duale said the ceremony will include a church service, military parade and a 19-gun salute.
The ceremony will be attended by President William Ruto, his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua among other senior government officials.
On Sunday (April 21, 2024), General Ogolla’s body will then be airlifted to Alego Usonga for burial the same day.
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On Thursday evening, President Ruto said General Ogolla and his entourage were aboard the Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter that took off from Nairobi on the morning of April 18.
Their mission was to visit troops deployed in the North Rift as part of Operation Maliza Uhalifu and to inspect ongoing school rehabilitation works at several institutions.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has called for thorough investigations into the helicopter crash that killed the military chief and eight others.
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On Friday, Azimio la Umoja leaders expressed concern that in the last 12 months, the Kenya Defence Forces had experienced several other accidents.
“Many near death encounters have occurred with the security aircrafts. We may never know what exactly brought down the helicopter in which the general died. It is our prayer that this tragedy may mark the beginning of a serious relook into our security equipment, especially the aircrafts with a view to undertaking a complete overhaul and modernisation of the equipment. That was the General’s vision. Only such an investigation will put the family and the whole nation at peace,” Azimio leader Raila Odinga said.
Mr Odinga was accompanied by co-principals Martha Karua, Kalonzo Musyoka and Wycliffe Oparanya. Also present during the press briefing was Siaya Governor James Orengo and former Murang’a Governor for, Mwangi wa Iria.