NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s military chief Gen. 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 Gen. Ogolla, when it crashed Thursday and caught fire in a remote area near the border with Uganda, killing nine people onboard, the president said.
It is unclear what caused the crash.
Gen. Ogolla, 61, was on a tour of the country’s troubled western region that has seen frequent attacks by local bandits.
He was appointed Kenya’s Chief of Defense Forces in April last year after Gen. Robert Kibochi retired.
Political controversy surrounded Ogolla even before his appointment, when he was accused by the country’s electoral commission chairperson as being part of a national security council delegation that tried to influence the outcome of the 2022 general election against President Ruto.
The Arizona Coyotes are officially headed to Salt Lake City
Firm's dirty laundry aired by the Employment Relations Authority
Motor racing Jos Verstappen's outburst raises big questions for Red Bull
What the Green Party knew, and what next for MP Darleen Tana
Kenya’s military chief dies in a helicopter crash
Stricken Japanese Moon mission landed on its nose
EDITORIAL: Rules on digital study materials for school use need a review
Japan unexpectedly slips into a recession
Hanna and Haley Cavinder say they're returning for last season at Miami
EDITORIAL: Here we go again; another pledge by LDP to reform itself