Ruto on Gen Ogolla’s death: No stone will be left unturned

The President said KDF will lay bare the cause of the helicopter crash

In Summary
  • The Head of State said KDF have demonstrated their integrity and professionalism.
  • Ruto regretted that many Kenyans have fallen victims of extra judicial killings and political assassinations in the past.
President William Ruto is received by military commanders at the Senator Obama K'Ogello Primary School in Siaya on April 21, 2024.
President William Ruto is received by military commanders at the Senator Obama K'Ogello Primary School in Siaya on April 21, 2024.
Image: PCS

President William Ruto has assured that findings of the probe into the helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla will be laid bare.

Addressing mourners at the burial of Ogolla in Ng’iya village, Alego Usonga subcounty in Siaya on Sunday, Ruto said he had confidence Kenya Defence Force will live up to expectations.

“I want to assure the country the KDF have the requisite integrity and professionalism to make sure there will be no shroud of doubt on Ogolla,” he stated.

The Head of State added that KDF have demonstrated their integrity and professionalism.

“I have full confidence in KDF. They are our foremost professional entity in Kenya. I have full confidence that General Omenda and the team he has appointed to make sure that all details are laid bare on the accident that took the life of Ogolla,” he stated.

He regretted that many Kenyans have fallen victims to extrajudicial killings and political assassinations in the past.

“I made a commitment that there will never be again extra judicial killings or political assassinations. We shall never have bodies of Kenyans in River Yala, not under my watch,” he assured.

Ogolla was among the 10 officers who died in a helicopter crash on Thursday on the border between Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gichu counties.

They were on a peace mission in the troubled Rift Valley region, which has been plagued by cattle rustling and banditry.

On Saturday, Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for thorough investigations into the helicopter crash that killed Ogolla and nine other military officers.

Speaking at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata, Nairobi during military honours and memorial service on Saturday, Raila said the investigations should establish why the helicopter came down.

“Because of how Ogolla died, a lot of rumours are flying all over. We want these rumours to be put to rest,” he stated.

Raila further said it was time the country took a look at the conditions of its military equipment.

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