A military helicopter in Kenya carrying high-ranking officials, including the defence chief, crashed on Thursday, resulting in fatalities, according to police reports.
President William Ruto immediately called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, following the incident which occurred in Elgeyo Marakwet County, about 400 kilometres northwest of Nairobi.
Among the casualties was General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Defence Forces
He was onboard the helicopter along with several other senior commanders. The aircraft caught fire upon crashing, a senior police officer told AFP.
The purpose of their mission was related to security, as Kenya Defence Forces soldiers are deployed in the region.
“The helicopter burst into flames after crashing and it had more than 10 senior commanders on board, including General Ogolla,” the officer said.
“They were in the area on a security mission because there are Kenya Defence Forces soldiers deployed in the region,” he said.
Initial reports did not provide details on casualties, but President Ruto later confirmed that General Ogolla and nine other senior military officers lost their lives in the crash, with only two survivors.
“President William Ruto has convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council at State House, Nairobi this evening, following a Kenya Defence Forces’ helicopter crash this afternoon in Elgeyo-Marakwet County,” State House spokesman, Hussein Mohamed, said in a statement.
General Ogolla, aged 61, had been appointed as Chief of the Defence Forces in April last year.
Despite past political differences, President Ruto had praised Ogolla’s qualifications for the position.
A trained fighter pilot, Ogolla had a long and distinguished career in the Kenya Defence Forces, culminating in his leadership of the Kenyan Air Force.
President Ruto expressed sorrow over the tragic accident, emphasising the nation’s loss and mourning the passing of General Ogolla and the other victims.
