Ogolla’s brother Oduor says CDF was humble, social and loved by community » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 19- Canon Hezekiah Odour, brother to the late General Francis Ogolla has described him as a humble person despite his high-ranking position in the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF).
Speaking on Friday, Oduor who is the eldest brother to Ogolla while sharing memories of his brother, stated that he would always give everyone a chance to voice their opinions and would listen keenly.
Oduor says he always gave back to the community by constructing churches, digging a borehole for his old primary school, and providing financial assistance to anyone in need who had a legitimate issue.
“General was a people person, he could give money to everybody despite age, be it old man, or old woman or youth or even a child and for that people loved him,” he says.
“Right now, as community we have lost a very instrumental person who have been of great assistance to each one of us.”
He stated that he was shocked to learn that his brother had met his demise in West Pokot.
He stated that Ogolla always knew he would die eventually and had given them instructions to bury him behind his house.
He pointed out that he even showed them the location for his grave at his home.
“He even cautioned my sister saying he knows she is the one who is most stubborn, he told us we just make it very simple, so we are responding to his wish as he said,” he stated.
Ogolla perished alongside nine others following Thursday’s helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet’s, Keben area.
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.”
A memorial service to honor the late General Ogolla will be held next Friday, April 26, his family has said.
The service for Ogolla, who perished alongside nine others following a chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet on Thursday, will take place at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where his family says, Ogolla “found solace in his biweekly runs.”
The commemoration will come five days after his burial slated to take place at his Mor, Alego, home in Siaya County on April 21.
Ogolla’s family disclosed Friday that late Military Chief Ogolla left instructions in his will to be buried within 72 hours of his death.
Given the circumstances of his demise while in office, the state has taken over the coordination of the memorial event.
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