Focus now shifts to military succession after General Ogolla's burial

After three days of national mourning, the Defence Council is this week expected to sit and make recommendations on the next Chief of Defence Forces following the death of General Francis Ogolla and nine others in a helicopter crash on Thursday.

General Ogolla died last Thursday at the age of 61 in a military chopper crash that occurred at the Kaben-Cheptulel border between Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties.

The CDF died alongside Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu (the pilot), Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

In the military, however, there is no vacuum left, once the General was confirmed dead, Lt General Kahariri took charge in an acting capacity until General Ogolla's successor is appointed.

President William Ruto looks at the casket of the Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla in Siaya County on April 21, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

"I want to assure the President that as the General would have wanted, we continue to soldier on and ensure the security of this country so nothing has changed as far as our duties are concerned. Fare thee well, our General, may his soul rest in peace," Lt Gen Kahariri said on Sunday during General Ogolla's burial in Siaya County.

The Defence Council is comprised of the Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale who is the chairperson, the Chief of Defence Forces (in this case Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) Lieutenant General Charles Muriu Kahariri- the Ag CDF), the three service commanders and the Defence Permanent Secretary Patrick Mariru.

It is expected to front a name or names of suitable candidates to the President who will succeed General Ogolla any time this week.

President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto are pictured during General Francis Omondi Ogolla's funeral service in Siaya County on April 21, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

CDF Act

According to the CDF Act, the President shall in appointing the Chief of Defence Forces take into account the seniority of the officer, their military and formal civic education and military/security experience.

The act envisages a situation where the office may fall vacant following the death of a serving CDF but does not give a timeline within which the replacement must be made.

General Ogolla's successor is however expected to be announced this week, a decision had been made not to make the announcement until the late general is buried at his Ng'iya home on Sunday.

For years now, the seat holder has been a rotation of officers from the three services (navy, army and air force) in what is commonly referred to as the Tonje rules in honour of the person who invented them, Retired General Daudi Tonje.

The rules, though dearly held as a guide to the final decision on the next CDF, are not contained in the CDF Act.

CS Duale, on Sunday, referred to them as a gentleman's agreement, throwing a spanner into the works on who General Ogolla's successor will be.

General Francis Omondi Ogolla's boots are pictured on his coffin at his funeral service in Siaya County on April 21, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

"When General Tonje introduced that gentleman's agreement, there was General Opande who he recommended to be the next CDF but was not given that chance, the law says that a CDF will serve for four years or at the attainment of 62 years whichever comes first," CS Duale said during General Ogolla's burial on Sunday.

If the President however decides to stick by them, the seat will automatically go to the most senior Navy officer, the acting CDF Lt General Kahariri.

President William Ruto promoted Kahariri from Major General to Lt General last month and appointed him VCDF replacing Lt General Jonah Mwangi whose term had come to an end after 42 years of service.

A CDF is a four-star General. An officer seeking that rank must be a three-star general, the rank of a Lieutenant General.

The officer picked will be promoted to the rank of a General and appointed CDF.

Senior military officers currently holding the rank of Lt General include; Lt Gen David Kimaiyo Tarus- the commander of the Kenya Army, Lt Gen Jimson Longiro Mutai the Vice-Chancellor of the National Defence University and Lt Gen Juma Shee Mwinyikai the Commandant of the National Defence College.

Once appointed, the new CDF will lead the last requiem mass in honour of his predecessor, General Ogolla on Friday.