Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Helicopter Crash: Kenyan President Mourns Defence Chief, Others

POSTED ON April 19, 2024 •   Politics      BY Benedicta Bassey
President of Kenya, William Ruto (L) and Chief of Kenya Defence Forces General, Francis Ogolla(R) look on while inspecting a guard of honour by the members of Kenya Defence Forces during official visit to State House in Nairobi/Photo credit: AFP/Source: Punch

According to police accounts, a military helicopter in Kenya that was transporting senior officials—including the head of defense—crash-landed and killed everyone within.

Following the event that took place in Elgeyo Marakwet County, around 400 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, President William Ruto promptly convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Council even as he grieved over the incident.

The Chief of the Defense Forces, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, was among the dead. 

He and a few other top commanders were in the chopper. When the plane crashed, a senior police officer told AFP that it caught fire. 
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.

READ ALSO
Senate Moves to Discuss 2025 Proceeds of Crime Bill Aimed at Asset Recovery Reform
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 21, 2025 0

The Senate has initiated plans to discuss the 2025 Proceeds of Crime bill, which is sponsored by Dr....

READ ALSO
Wike Unveils Major Projects to Celebrate President Tinubu's Second Anniversary
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 21, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has revealed plans to launch various projects executed by...

READ ALSO
Obi Reflects on Vatican Visit, Stresses Importance of Moral Message Over Politics
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 19, 2025 0

Presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, recently returned from...

READ ALSO
Kebbi Gov. Appoints 21 Secretaries to Strengthen Local Governance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 19, 2025 0

KEBBI, Nigeria - Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has sanctioned the appointment of 21 new sec...

READ ALSO
Trump Launches Investigation into Kamala Harris over Celebrity Endorsements
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 19, 2025 0

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he plans to initiate a “major investigation...

READ ALSO
Tinubu, Obi, and Fayemi Meet at Pope Leo XIV's Installation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 18, 2025 0

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Labour Party's presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter...

READ ALSO
Wike Quashes 2027 Presidential Bid Rumors
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 18, 2025 0

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed rumors that he might run a...

READ ALSO
Fubara is My Boy, Wike Criticizes those Manipulating Suspended Governor
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 18, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike,  has s...

OUR CHANNELS:

Yahaya Signs Electricity Bill to Foster Investment and Regulation
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

Governor Inuwa Yahaya has officially enacted the Gombe State Electricity Bill, 2025. This announce...


LASG shut 5 Orphanages, Rescued over 200 children Amid Child Trafficking
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

The Lagos State government has closed down five orphanages over the past year due to issues such as...


FG to Auction 753 Housing Units Recovered from Ex-CBN Governor Emefiele
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Federal Government has declared its intention to sell 753 housing units that we...


Emir Removes Village Chief Amid Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Allegations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

KASTINA, Nigeria - The village chief of Mantau in Yarmaulu, Baure Local Government Area of Katsina S...


Leon Balogun Bids Farewell to Rangers, After Contract Expires
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

Leon Balogun, a defender for the Nigerian national football team, has left Scottish club Rangers Foo...


Verydarkman to Compensate Falana and Falz in Character Defamation Case
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

A social media celebrity, Martins Otse, popularly called Verydarkman, has been mandated by a Lagos H...


FRSC, Amotekun Collaboration to Recover Stolen Vehicle
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

The Osun State Security Network, known as Amotekun Corps, has reported the recovery of a vehicle and...


CBN Holds Interest Rate Steady at 27.50% Amid Inflation Concerns and Economic Recovery Efforts
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria — The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has once again held its benchmark inte...


I AM IGBO by Blood, Davido Affirms Igbo Heritage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

Nigerian music star David Adeleke, aka Davido has responded to a controversial social media post tha...


Soyinka Urges Youth to Embrace Ancestral Languages for Cultural Identity
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara May 22, 2025 0

Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has emphasized the importance of promoting Nigeria's indigenous la...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu