- Ogolla and nine other military officers died on Thursday after a military chopper crashed at Kaben in Tot subcounty in Marakwet East.
- Omondi who spoke on behalf of the family thanked leaders and Kenyans for standing with them during the difficult times.
Image: SCREEN GRAB
Son of late Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla, Joel Omondi, has mourned him saying the family is trying to come to terms with his sudden demise.
Ogolla and nine other military officers died on Thursday after a military chopper crashed at Kaben in Tot subcounty in Marakwet East.
Speaking during a prayer service attended by President William Ruto, Omondi eulogised his farher whom he referred to as General saying he was a happy man with a cheeky smile.
"General is in a good place, those of you who knew General and his sister Peris, they have a very cheeky smile on their face when they are doing something cheeky, I tell you General is resting right now with a cheeky smile," he said.
He called on Kenyans to emulate the fallen Army chief and share smiles in remembrance of the impactful life he led.
Omondi said his father had been preparing them for his death for a long time.
"I'm seeing very many sad faces but the General would be wondering what people are so sad about, especially since he had prepared us for his death for a very long time and you should look a bit happier.
"We are leaning on his faith, on our faith and on the faith of Jesus Christ which was his corner rock and stone for everything," he said.
Omondi who spoke on behalf of the family thanked leaders and Kenyans for standing with them during the difficult times.
Ruto, First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi among other leaders attended the service.
Ruto described Ogolla as a passionate leader who strove to deliver on his mandate.
The President said he received the news of Ogolla's death with a heavy heart.
Ruto added that he is proud of himself for appointing General Ogolla.
"The bad news came and it took me a while but then I asked Defence CS Aden Duale to please call somebody on the ground and he told me there was a major and a brigadier on the ground and I wanted to speak to them because it was not easy to believe that General Ogolla was gone," he said.
"When I was told that he was on the line and the subject was about a plane crash, and the plane was carrying the CDF and other military officers, I took the phone and told Duale, please don't tell me negative news," the President revealed.
According to the President, Ogolla deserved the appointment because he was a professional and a leader.
Ruto said that within the short period Ogolla was the Chief of Defence Forces, he made a huge difference.
The KDF boss, 61, is set to be buried at his home in Mor, Alego in Siaya on Sunday, April 21.
Ogolla is survived by a widow and two children. He has also left behind a daughter-in-law and a grandson.