Security operation to end banditry that killed General Francis Ogolla

The shocking death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Omondi Ogolla in a chopper crash on Thursday afternoon has put the spotlight on the ongoing Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift, whose progress he had gone to assess ahead of the re-opening of schools.

Gen. Ogolla died at the age of 62 in a tragic air crash in Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet, when the Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter he was travelling in, alongside 11 other military officials, crashed and burned at around 2.20 pm.

Before the crash, the CDF had received a security briefing in Chesitet, Baringo County, after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County where he addressed troops.

From there, he and his entourage went to Chesegon in West Pokot, where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School, one of the projects being undertaken by the military as part of the long-term strategy to end banditry in the region.

However, soon after departing Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he had gone to inspect ongoing construction, the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off.

The CDF died in the crash, along with nine others. Two survivors of the crash were airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.

“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,” President William Ruto said in his address to the nation on Thursday evening.

President William Ruto is seen with the chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, in this picture taken on February 28, 2024. (Photo: AFP)

As the country mourns the distinguished general, questions are emerging as to what may have led to the crash, considering that security preparations for his visits are meticulous, akin to those done when the head of state is visiting an area.

Operation Maliza Uhalifu began over a year ago when President Ruto vowed that his government would end the cattle rustling and banditry menace that has plagued the region for decades.

For most of last year, the operation recorded significant success, with normalcy returning in previous hot spots, leading to the reopening of schools, roads, and markets.

However, towards the end of last year, the attacks resumed, extending to early this year, mainly in parts of Baringo, Meru, Isiolo, Laikipia, and Samburu counties.

This prompted the setting up of a second joint command centre to cater to the new areas and the deployment of additional sophisticated equipment and police units formed in Loruk and

Mukogodo to beef up the operation. KDF set up more camps in Nolkera and Kurkur along the Malaso belt

The National Police Service-led operation also entails development activities, including building roads, markets, schools and other socioeconomic infrastructure that will open up the region that has been largely neglected.

Some of these activities include renovations at Chesitet Primary School, Cheptulel Boys High School, Chepoton Primary School, Ksaa Primary School and Sablimoi Primary School, which General Ogolla had gone to inspect.

President William Ruto with former Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla (right) and Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt General Charles Kahariri at State House on March 9, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

This is the first time a Chief of Defence Forces has died in office. Insiders said Ogolla will automatically be replaced by his Vice Chief of Defence Forces, Lt General Charles Muriu Kahariri.

Ruto appointed Kahariri to his position last month, replacing Lt. General Jonah Mwangi, whose term ended after 42 years of service.

Ogolla took office as CDF on April 29 last year, replacing General Robert Kibochi, whose tenure had ended. Before his promotion to CDF, he served as the Vice Chief of Defence Forces for two years.

His vision for the KDF was to build a solid force with a shared mission under the mantra “One force, One mission.”

“When I leave, let Kenyans judge me. But I want to leave behind an effective military, respected the world over and able to deliver on its mission wherever, whenever,” he said in an interview with KBC in August last year.

The avid golfer said he had to drop some of his hobbies, including the gentleman’s game, to concentrate on his increased responsibilities.

Ogolla joined the Kenya Air Force on April 24, 1984, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in May 1985.

He trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force and was also an instructor pilot. He also trained in imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism, and accident investigation.

Ogolla was a graduate of the École Militaire de Paris and the National Defence College of Kenya.

He is survived by his wife, Aileen Ogolla, two children, and a grandson.