Kenya: Nine people including Kenya's defense chief killed in helicopter crash, President orders investigation

Kenya's defense chief Francis Omondi Ogolla died in a helicopter crash on Thursday. Along with him, 9 more people aboard the helicopter also lost their lives. Kenyan President William Ruto gave information regarding the incident. Kenya's defense chief and nine other top officials died in a military helicopter crash in a remote area of the country on Thursday, President William Ruto said.

Ruto told reporters, "Today at 2:20 pm our country suffered a tragic air crash... I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of the Chief of Staff of the Kenya Defense Forces (CDF), General Francis Omondi Ogolla Is."

The President had called an immediate meeting of the National Security Council after the news of the accident came to light. During this, he said that along with the Defense Chief, nine other "gallant military personnel" aboard the ship were also killed, while two survived.

Let us tell you that 61 year old Ogolla was a trained fighter pilot. He held this post for only one year, but was soon to complete 40 years of military service.

Ruto said the Kenya Air Force had sent an investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which occurred in Elgeyo Marakwet County, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) northwest of the capital Nairobi.

Ogolla's helicopter crashed shortly after taking off from the village of Chassegon, where he and his entourage were visiting a school after stopping in other areas to view Kenyan troops and other sites.