Kenyan President William Ruto has announced three days of mourning the tragic death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla, who passed away in a helicopter crash on Thursday, 18th, 2024, in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet County, alongside nine other military personnel.

Breaking News- Chopper carrying CDF Francis Ogolla crashes in West-Pokot

The President confirmed the general officer’s passing in his speech to the nation yesterday from the State House.

“This is a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity, and the nation at large. Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, servicemen, and women. Ruto said.

The President went on explaining how the loss of the officer has broken many, himself included, and it is because of that and the commendable, exceptional work the officer was doing that he has declared the nation mourn for three days.

“The demise of General Ogolla is a painful loss to me, and certainly, the sorrow we all feel about his passing is shared by all the people of Kenya, and especially the KDF fraternity. A distinguished four-star general has fallen in the course of duty and service to the country.”

The Head of State subsequently directed that all flags in Kenya fly at half-mast during the three-day period.

“In honor of the life and distinguished military career of the fallen general who lost his life not just while in office but in active military duty, the nation will observe a period of three days of mourning commencing on April 19. In the Republic of Kenya and Kenyan nations abroad, the Kenyan flag, KDF flag, East African flag, and flags of all formations of the military shall fly at half-mast,” said the President.

Half-mast is the position half the way down a pole to which a flag is moved to show respect for someone who has died; it is usually a mark of respect for the dead or as a signal of distress.