US military top brass mourn late CDF Ogolla, re-affirm commitment to partnership with Kenya » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 19-United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III has condoled with Kenyans following the death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla and nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers who passed on following Thursday’s chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet.
While paying tribute to the victims of the crash, on behalf of the US Department of Defense, Austin said that Kenya is a stalwart partner of the United States and the Department.
The US Secretary of Defense pointed out that he appreciated the importance of US partnership with Kenya when he met the late Ogolla in September last year.
“I saw the importance of our partnership firsthand in my visit to Kenya last September when I met with General Ogolla and other Kenyan leaders in Nairobi,” he said.
“He [Ogolla] will be greatly missed, and his family will be in my prayers.
The US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Charles Quinton Brown Jr. also extended his condolences to the Kenyan people saying he was “saddened” to hear of Ogolla’s death.
“On behalf of the men and women of the Joint Force, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and my thoughts are with the Kenyan military as they cope with this tragedy,” he said.
Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor to President Joe Biden, highlighted General Ogolla’s role in fostering the strategic relationship between Kenya and the United States.
“Gen. Ogolla was a key partner in our strategic relationship and we will miss working with him,” he said.
Ogolla will be laid to rest Sunday April 21, 2024, in Ng’iya village, Alego Usonga Sub-county in Siaya County.
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