Final rites kick off for Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla
By Mary Wambui |
The elaborate plans will see the fulfilment of General Ogolla's wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death.
After a day and a night of preparations and rehearsals, the military will, on Saturday morning, kick off the final rites for Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla.
General Ogolla, 62, and nine other people were killed in a helicopter crash at the Kaben-Cheptulel border between Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties on Thursday afternoon.
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The elaborate plans will see both the state and the military fulfil his wish to be buried within 72 hours of his death, at his Ng'iya home in Siaya County.
The Commander in Chief, President William Ruto, is expected to lead Kenyans in paying tribute to the gallant career soldier at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, where a memorial service will be conducted later this morning.
During the service, Ogolla will be accorded full military honours, including a special parade and a 19-gun salute in line with established military procedures.
Though the country has no experience to borrow from, as it has not lost any serving chiefs of defence forces, the military honours will mirror those accorded to a fallen head of state.
They include the diversion of traffic on the route the procession will use before joining a parade at the Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum.
The Kenyan national flag flies at half mast in Nairobi on April 19, 2024, in honour of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Omondi Ogolla and nine other senior military officers who were killed in a helicopter crash. (Photo: AFP)
Once the procession arrives at Ulinzi, a lap of honour led by Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri, the acting CDF, will follow.
During the lap of honour, the parade will do a final around the stadium, giving guests, the military and the media a chance to get a view and wave their goodbyes.
The prayer and service session will kick off, followed by brief speeches by parties including Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and President Ruto.
The speeches will be followed by a session of military honours, including playing The Reville, observing a minute of silence and The Last Post, a bugle call that signifies that a soldier has gone to his final resting place.
After that, General Ogolla will be accorded 19 gun salutes and the final honours before the body is returned to the Mashujaa Funeral Home ahead of the burial on Sunday.
Amongst the CDF's last wishes was to be buried in a simple ceremony, without a coffin, akin to Islamic rites.
His family intends to fulfil his wishes but before the internment ceremony, a church service will be held at the Senator Obama K'Ogallo Primary School near his home.
Next Friday, a final national requiem mass will be held at Ulinzi.
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