President William Ruto has reiterated that the late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla was the most qualified military officer for the position.
Speaking at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata, Nairobi during military honours and memorial service for Ogolla, Ruto revealed that he had been told that not to shy from appointing members of his community to the position.
“I made a conscious decision that we are going to take a different trajectory as a country where merit, professionalism and competency must come before ethnicity. I made up my mind that General Ogolla deserved to be CDF,” he stated.
The Head of State added that he is very proud to have appointed Ogolla to the position.
“I am proud to bear the witness that Ogolla stood head and shoulder among the finest of exemplary public servants. It has been an extraordinary privilege to work closely with him, to benefit from his wisdom, experience and insights,” Ruto added.
Ruto further revealed that all recommendations on the next CDF did not include Ogolla.
“But he was a military officer with a distinguished career,” he said.
Ruto said he ignored calls from his inner circle not to reward Ogolla but remained steadfast with his resolve to appoint him owing to his experience in security matters.
The President officially confirmed the death of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla Thursday night.
The President said Ogolla passed away alongside nine other military officials in a tragic air accident at Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo Marakwet.
He said the accident occurred at 2.20 pm.
"I'm deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces," Ruto said during his address to the nation at State House, Nairobi.
The President said two military officers survived the accident and are receiving treatment in Nairobi.
The nine officers who perished alongside General Ogolla are Brig Swaleh Saidi, Col Duncan Keitany, Lt Col David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu (who was also the pilot), Capt Sorah Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinywa Mureithi, Sergent Cliffonce Omondi and Sergent Rose Nyawira.
Ruto announced a three-day national mourning period starting Friday, April 19, 2024 in honour of the fallen General.
Ruto said during the period, the Kenyan flag and that of the Kenya Defence Forces, the East African Community and flags of all formations of the military shall fly at half mast in Kenya and Kenyan missions abroad.
