Kenya’s military chief dies in a helicopter crash

AP | Kenya’s military chief General Francis Ogolla died in a helicopter crash west of the country, President William Ruto announced Thursday and declared three days of national mourning.

The helicopter was carrying 11 people, including Ogolla, when it crashed Thursday and caught fire in a remote area near the border with Uganda, killing 9 people onboard, the president said.

It is unclear what caused the crash.

Ogolla, 61, was on a tour of the country’s north western region.

He was appointed Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces in April last year after his predecesor, General Robert Kibochi retired.

Ogolla joined Kenya’s military force 40 years ago. He was a graduate of École Militaire de Paris, the National Defence College of Kenya, Egerton University and the University of Nairobi.

He is survived by his wife Aileen, two children and a grandson.