The chief of defense forces General Francis Ogolla’s death was confirmed by President William Ruto at state house Nairobi on Thursday.
Geral francis Ogolla took over as the new chief of defense forces from general Robert Kibochi in April 2023 after Kibochi the then CDF reached his mandatory retirement age of 62.
CDF is the highest-ranking military officer in the Kenya Defence Forces and the principal military adviser to the President of Kenya and the National Security Council. His roles include leading meetings and coordinating the efforts of the Service Commander, comprising the CDF, the Commander of the Kenya Army and Kenya Air Force, the Kenya Navy and the Commandant of Military Intelligence.
During his appointment as the new chief of defence forces, Ruto said that Ogolla's experience spanning over 39 years saw him promoted to the high office in the country’s military to replace Robert Kibochi who has retired.
"In considering your appointment, I assessed your background, where you have come from, what you have done, and your journey in the military, and I am satisfied that you made it to the office," Ruto said then.
Gen Ogolla was a graduate of École Militaire de Paris and the National Defence College of Kenya. He graduated with a Diploma in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict and Peace Studies (First Class Honors) and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
He rose through the ranks to become a Major General and was appointed the Commander of Kenya Air Force on July 15, 2018, a post he has served for three years.
General Ogolla is married to Aileenn Ogolla and they had two children and a grandson.
His daughter, Lorna Amondi wrote an overwhelming tribute to her father in her social media account saying he was the most effective and empathetic leader who did his best to enhance the country’s security.
“My father. Pursuer of excellence. Most empathetic and effective leader and statesman just went down in chopper crash in West Pokot. Doing what he did best for the better part of the last 40 years - trying to keep Kenya safe. One day I shall tell beautiful stories of how he taught with his actions and not with words. But today - I rush home to send him off to the great beyond,” the daughter wrote
The cause of the crash has not yet been established, however President William Ruto announced that the Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched an air investigation team, to establish the cause of the air crash that killed CDF Francis Ogolla and nine others.
In addition president Ruto set aside a 3 –day national mourning period for CDF Francis Ogolla.
What to know about Chief of Defence Francis Ogolla