A military chopper carrying Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla has crashed at the Kaben-Cheptulel border between Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot counties this afternoon.
The Kenya Air Force Helicopter had taken off from a local primary school when it went down and burst into flames. The chopper is said to have been carrying 12 people including officers of the rank of General when it went down.
The government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura in his X account has urged Kenyans to remain calm saying an official communication concerning the Military Aircraft Crush shall be issued soon.
State House Spokesperson also said that President William Ruto has convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council at State House, following the crash.
Officer’s reports say that, the area has since been cordoned off as rescue missions were launched. A Police report by Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge confirmed the incident indicating that five occupants died in the crash while three survived. There was only one survivor believed to be a photographer.
The officers were surveying the area ahead of the planned deployment of more troops there to battle cattle rustlers, following President William Ruto’s order to restore security in the region a region with a particular focus on rehabilitating destroyed schools.
Ogolla was named the new Chief of Defence Forces on April 28, 2023, taking over from his predecessor General Robert Kibochi.
Chief of Defense Forces Francis Ogolla Dies in a chopper crash