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In a solemn and private ceremony held on Sunday afternoon, General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the late Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya, was laid to rest at his family home in Ng’iya, Siaya County. Adhering to his final wishes, General Ogolla was buried without a coffin, his body simply draped in a cloth, just minutes before 4 p.m. The service was attended by family, friends, military personnel, and a number of high-profile government officials.
Among the dignitaries present were President William Ruto, First Lady Rachael Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, all of whom laid wreaths at the gravesite. The military accorded General Ogolla a 19-gun salute, a tribute usually reserved for heads of state, underscoring his significant role in the nation’s defense history.
General Ogolla’s death in a helicopter crash last Thursday shocked the nation. The crash also claimed the lives of nine other officers, marking a grim day for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). He had specified that his burial occur within 72 hours of his death, a directive that was faithfully followed by his family and colleagues.
General Ogolla is survived by his widow, Aileen Kathambi Ogolla, their two children, Lorna Achieng’ Omondi and Joel Rabuku Omondi Ogolla, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.
His passing has ignited a political debate led by the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party. Under the leadership of Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, the opposition is demanding a transparent investigation into the fatal crash. They advocate for a judicial inquest that allows civilian oversight, contrasting with a military-led probe which they argue could lack impartiality. Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua have been nominated to lead this parliamentary investigation.
This insistence on a civilian-led inquiry highlights the broader concerns about the independence of military investigations in Kenya, where past incidents have often been shrouded in secrecy. The opposition’s push for transparency reflects a growing public demand for accountability in matters of national security and public safety.
President Ruto has responded by setting up a separate investigation team, differing from the one initially announced by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. This move has been met with skepticism and concern from various quarters, fearing that it might lead to conflicting outcomes.
The planned memorial service for General Ogolla, which was to be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata, has been postponed, with the new date to be announced in the coming days, as stated in a joint release from the KDF and the Ogolla family. This delay has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing narrative of General Ogolla’s legacy and the circumstances of his untimely demise.
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