CDF Ogolla to be accorded 19-gun salute and other military honours

The late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla will be accorded military honours on Saturday, in line with the established Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) procedures. 

President William Ruto, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, will witness the ceremony alongside Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale.

"In accordance with military procedures, the Military Honours ceremony will be conducted on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata from 1 pm," said CS Aden Duale. 

Other guests expected at the event include Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Chief Justice Martha Koome, Speaker Moses Wetangula, senior government officials, and top security personnel.

Military Honours 

Ogolla will be honoured by a church service, a military parade, and a 19-gun salute. However, Duale stated that the military was not limited in its celebration of the late CDF and he will issue more details moving forward. 

The CS also revealed that a post-mortem examination for the late CDF was conducted on Friday at 11 am at the Mashujaa Funeral Home at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital.

However, he did not release the details of the autopsy. 

President William Ruto announces the death of CDF General Francis Ogolla at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

General Ogolla wished to be buried 72 hours after his death, according to his family. In line with his wish, his body will be airlifted on Sunday, April 21, 2024, to Ng'iya village, Alego Usonga Sub-county in Siaya County, for burial.

His farewell journey will be preceded by a church service at his local church in Nduru. 

"In honour of his humble nature, General Ogolla specified that his burial occurs within 72 hours of his passing, echoing the profound truth that from dust we came and to dust we shall return," the family said.

The CDF and 9 others perished on Thursday afternoon after the chopper they were travelling in crashed at the Kaben-Cheptulel border between Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties. 

Only two soldiers survived the ordeal, which sent shockwaves across the world.

The bodies of the deceased were flown to the Embakasi Garrison military hangar in Nairobi on Thursday night, where a prayer service was held. They were then driven in ambulances to Forces Memorial Hospital for preservation.

President Ruto joined the nation on Thursday, in mourning General Ogolla, as the Kenya Air Force continues with investigations into his death. 

Other than flying flags at half mast in honour of the decorated military man, Ruto declared three days of national mourning in honour of the fallen soldier. 

Defence CS Hon. Aden Duale presides over the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a new infrastructural block at the National Defence College in Karen, Nairobi, on April 17, 2024. (Photo: KDF)