Who is Frankford Karanja Mogire, survivor in chopper crash that killed CDF Francis Ogolla?
Photographer Frankford Karanja Mogire is currently recovering in Eldoret Regional Hospital (ERH) after miraculously surviving a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of 10 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers, including Chief of Defence Forces Francis Omondi Ogolla.
The tragic incident unfolded on Thursday, April 18, when the helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Kaben, Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The accident occurred at 2:20 pm, as confirmed by President William Ruto in a televised address to the nation later that evening.
Karanja, an active social media user known for his inspirational posts, graduated from Mount Kenya University in 2016 and joined NTV as a copy editor in 2018.
In a recent post, he shared his thoughts on success, saying, “Success has so many fathers, but failure is an orphan.”
His hobbies are travelling, hiking, culture and photography.
He also likes vlogging and has a YouTube channel, titled Uncharted Destinations.
Following the crash, Karanja’s best friend, Mc Dominic Mwangi, posted a heartfelt message wishing him a quick recovery.
“I thank God for you bro. Quick and speedy recovery bro. #darkevening,” Mwangi wrote.
President Ruto confirmed that 10 KDF officers lost their lives in the crash, leaving only two soldiers, including Karanja, as survivors.
Among the deceased were Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
“I’m deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces,” President Ruto said during his address at State House, Nairobi.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic incident.
President Ruto has since declared a three-day national mourning period beginning Friday, April 19, 2024, to honour the late General.
During this time, the Kenyan flag, along with the flags of the Kenya Defence Forces, the East African Community, and all military formations, will be flown at half-mast both in Kenya and at Kenyan missions overseas.