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President William Ruto has confirmed that Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla passed away in a helicopter crash Sindar area at the West Pokot & Elgeyo Marakwet border on Thursday, April 18.
President Ruto made the announcement during public address at State House, Nairobi.
Together with General Ogolla in the crash were 11 other gallant military personnel, nine who also passed on with him while two survived.
The gallant military personnel who passed on are:
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- Brigadier Swale Saidi,
- Colonel Duncan Keittany,
- Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe,
- Major George Benson Magondu,
- Captain Sora Mohamed,
- Captain Hillary Litali,
- Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi,
- Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and
- Sergeant Rose Nyawira.
The Chief of Defence Forces had left Nairobi on Thursday morning to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under the operation Maliza Uhalifu in the bandit prone region and to also inspect the ongoing school renovation works.
The CDF was briefed on the security situation after which he proceeded to Kainuk Forward Operating Base to meet soldiers.
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The CDF and his entourage departed from Kainuk to Chesegon, West Pokot County, where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School.
He then departed Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he was scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution.
Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off.
President Ruto said the loss is painful to him, the KDF family and Kenyans.
He conveyed his condolences to the families grieving following the tragic accident.
READ: CS Kindiki reveals how bandit took over school & used classes as wives' bedrooms
The head of state also announced that the Kenya Airforce has dispatched an air investigation team to probe the crash.
President Ruto concluded be declaring three days of mourning beginning April 19. All flags will fly at half mast in Kenya and the country's missions abroad.
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READ: Gen Francis Ogolla's daughter shares heartfelt tribute after deadly crash