- Late Ogolla said Nishan convinced him not to resign from service.
- The late Nishan died at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi on September 3, 2021, where he had been hospitalized for some time.
Image: KDF
A few days after late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla was laid to rest, a video has emerged revealing how he almost resigned from the military 26 years ago.
The late Ogolla had attended the memorial service of late retired Air Force commander Lieutenant General Nick Leshan at Ridgeways Baptist church in Nairobi on September 8, 2021.
While giving his tribute, the late Ogolla explained how Leshan convinced him not to resign from service assuring him that he had the qualities to ascend to be the next Air Force commander.
“In 1998, I resigned from the military and so as protocol requires I was taken to him for an interview,” he narrated.
“I thought the interview would take 10 minutes and then he would sign my papers, he talked to me for three hours and when he finished these were his words-Francis, you have the potential to be the Air Force commander, go back and work.”
It was at that point, that he said he took his resignation and went back.
In 2018, the late Ogolla said the words of Nishan came to pass when he was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed the Air Force commander.
Recalling advice from Nishan, he stated that he visited him at his Narok home to thank him for his vision and wisdom.
“I remembered his words. I drove with my wife to Narok and we sat with him. He talked to me again for three hours and when I was leaving he brought a heap of books and gave me and said I am glad you listened,” he said.
In 2021, the late Ogolla was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Vice Chief of Defence Forces, a position he served until 2023 when President William Ruto promoted him as a General.
The late Nishan died at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi on September 3, 2021, where he had been hospitalized for some time.
He was buried on September 10 at his Narok home with Ogolla being among the leaders that attended.
He exited service as the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, deputising General Jeremiah Kianga who took the reins of the military in 2005 and ultimately retired in 2011.