EAC leaders mourn CDF Ogolla after chopper crash » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 19-Leaders drawn from the East African Community region have joined the rest of the world in paying tribute to Kenya’s military chief, Francis Ogolla, who perished alongside nine others following Thursday’s helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet’s Keben area.
Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conveyed his message of condolences to his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto,, and Kenyans via a phone call.
Villa Somalia said that president Mohamud expressed Somalia’s support with Kenya as it mourns the departed soldiers.
“He [Mohamud] expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the families of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, and the other military personnel who lost their lives,” said Somalia’s Presidency.
“The President reiterated Somalia’s support and solidarity with the Kenyan people during this difficult time.”
In his tribute, Burundi’s president, Evariste Ndayishimiye, said that the passing Ogolla “is a profound sorrow felt beyond borders.”
His Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu, equally condoled with Kenyans and Ogolla’s family following the crash.
“I send my condolences to the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, His Excellency William Ruto, and all Kenyans, families, relatives, relatives and friends of all those who lost their relatives in the accident. May Allah rest the souls of our brothers in heaven,” Suluhu said.
Other organs that have issued the message of condolences include the East African Community (EAC), The African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Foreign missions in Kenya, including the United States Embassy, British High Commission, Finnish Embassy, and Moroccan Embassy, also expressed solidarity with Kenya in its time of mourning.
While confirming the incident, President Ruto described the crash which involved a Huey military helicopter, as “a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity, and the nation at large.”
President Ruto declared three days of mourning the General and nine other victims on Thursday.
He ordered the lowering of national, regional, and regimental flags to half-mast from Friday.
He described Gen Ogolla’s death as “a painful loss to me”.
Ruto listed the nine officers who perished alongsidethe late General Ogolla as; Brig Swaleh Said, Col Duncan Keitan Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Magondu (Pilot), Capt Sorah Mohamed, CaptHillary Butali, Snr Sgt John Kinyua, Sgt Cliffonce Omondi, and Sgt Rose Nyawira.
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