The former military generals advocated for the unity, welfare and transformation of the Kenya Defence Forces to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.
Ogolla, 61, died in a helicopter crash in Marakwet on Thursday.
On the other hand, Tonje retired several years ago, but is still remembered for the transformation that he introduced in the military, including the current rules that guide succession in KDF.
Tonje advocated for better pay, housing allowance and education to improve the capacity of the officers.
The rules, otherwise known as ‘Tonje Rules’ are expected to guide the Defence Council and President William Ruto – the Commander-in-Chief of KDF – in picking Ogolla’s successor.
Though going down in history as the shortest serving CDF, Ogolla will be remembered for his ‘one force, one mission’ vision.
“I wanted every soldier to understand my vision aiming to bring everybody together in delivering on the mission to defend the sovereignty of the country,” he said in an interview marking his first 100 days in office.
When he visited Kenyan troops fighting Al Shabaab in Somalia, Ogolla ordered increased food supply and ensured they had beef and other accompaniments.
This after the troops reportedly complained to him about their welfare.
“When you are in command as I am, one of the key things that will concern you is the welfare of your men. If you do not have interest in the welfare of your men, it will be noticed and it will undermine their morale and their ability to embrace the force and have the fighting spirit,” Ogolla had said.
His push for the comfort of KDF officers resembles Tonje’s.
In an interview with Baringo News, a Rift Valley-based press, Tonje revealed that during his tenure as Chief of General Staff, he eliminated the payment of soldiers in a 'parade'.
“While there, I got rid of a lot of unhealthy things that were going on in the military like every 14 days they would go and receive their money on the table. There was a pay parade. And in the evening, they go to the bar,” he said.
“During my time, it was the first-time solders got salary in their bank accounts. That was the biggest achievement. They like me up to today.”
Tonje also removed restrictions requiring soldiers to reside within the barracks.
“I opened it up that people should be able to stay outside. I opened house allowances so that people can live their lives. There were never enough marriage quarters. Let them go outside.”
The retired general introduced an academic programme that saw all soldiers study for certificate, diploma or degree programs.
“People knew all along that I was for education. I wanted people to do better than they are. Wherever I went, I ensured that things were better for people I commanded. Everybody needs to add value to themselves and to what they are doing,” he said.
It was this passion that led him to strike a deal with Kenyatta University to offer distance learning package for military officers.
“Not forgetting my education, when I became chief of general staff, I got in touch with vice chancellor of Kenyatta University. My intention was that by 2012 nobody should go beyond commanding officer without a first degree,” he said.
During the interview on his 100 days in office, Ogolla appeared for follow Tonje’s script – welfare first.
“[For your men to work well, you must ensure they are] well housed, their families well taken care of, their healthcare solid and catered for, and education for their children well covered so that when he is in the field, he knows that somebody genuinely cares and is thinking of me,” he said.
“This [welfare issue] is the top most thing that pre-occupies my mind every day.”
Ogolla demonstrated his commitment to duty when he declared that he had put aside his golfing activities to focus on the job.
“When I get 2, 3 hours a day to be by myself, to reflect, I appreciate that so much,” he said.
The new CDF will be picked as guided by the military succession rules — the Tonje Rules – which were introduced to ensure fairness.
Under the rules, the position of the CDF is rotated among the three services: the Kenya Army, Kenya Air Force and Kenya Navy.
Gen Ogolla was from the Kenya Airforce and his predecessor, retired Gen Robert Kibochi, was from the Kenya Army.
This means that the next CDF will come from the Kenya Navy.
When asked how he came up with the rules, Tonje jokingly responded, “There are no Tonje rules”.
However, he made decisions for posterity, looking 25, 50 or 100 years ahead.
“I was always challenging my fellows to look further ahead,” the general said, adding he encouraged them to continually test their limits.
“Even at Cadet training, when I got in there, I was allowed to experiment will all sorts of combinations and permutations in terms of training.”
The retired CDF disclosed that when he was head of training of cadets, he achieved a rare feat when trainees under him - from the same intake - became Generals.
“One time when they were promoted by Kenyatta, I looked around, they were 15 of them. All in the same intake. That has never been heard of,” a proud Tonje said.
