4 weeks ago
Kenya's main of defense Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla died Thursday successful a chopper clang successful Western Kenya. Photo courtesy of Kenya Defense Forces/Website
April 19 (UPI) -- Kenya's Chief of Defense Gen. Francis Omondi Ogolla has been killed successful a chopper crash, nan East African nation's president said.
The chopper pinch a twelve subject unit connected committee collapsed astatine astir 2:20 p.m. section clip Thursday successful Western Kenya.
President William Ruto announced nan clang successful a televised speech. He said Ogolla and 9 others were killed. Two group survived but were injured and person been hospitalized.
"Our motherland has mislaid 1 of her astir valiant generals. We've besides mislaid gallant officers, work men and women," Ruto said.
"The demise of Gen. Ogolla is simply a achy nonaccomplishment to maine and surely nan sorrow we each consciousness astir this passing connected is shared by each nan group of Kenya and astir particularly nan [Kenya Defense Forces] fraternity. A distinguished four-star wide has fallen successful nan people of work and successful nan work of country."
The chopper had near Nairobi connected Thursday greeting arsenic nan defense main had respective stops to make passim nan day. Ogolla was heading toward Uasin Gishu County wherever he was scheduled to sojourn a recruits training schoolhouse erstwhile nan clang occurred soon aft takeoff from Chesegon, nan president said.
The Kenya Air Force has dispatched an aerial investigation squad to find nan origin of nan crash.
The federation will observe 3 days of greeting starting Friday, he said.
Later Thursday, nan remains of nan victims of nan clang were returned to Nairobi wherever belief leaders held prayers for nan dead.
In Washington, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan offered his condolences, describing Ogolla arsenic a "valuable partner" successful nan Kenya-U.S. relationships.
"From combatting violent threats posed by al-Shabaab to starring efforts to bolster location practice crossed a scope of domains, he has near an indelible mark," Sullivan said successful a statement published by nan White House.
"Throughout his career, nan United States enjoyed a adjacent narration pinch Gen. Ogolla, who received aviator training alongside our ain officers successful nan United States and developed beardown relationships pinch U.S. negotiated and defense leaders, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin.
"Our hearts spell retired to General Ogolla's family and nan loved ones of each nan victims successful today's crash. We stock Kenya's condolences for this calamity and connection our resolute support successful nan days ahead."
