OPINION: Kenyans should desist from rushing to conclusions on sensitive matters

On April 18, unexpected news broke that an aircraft carrying the Chief of Defence Forces, General Francis Ogolla, and ten other soldiers had crashed.

Later in the day, President William Ruto, who is also the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, announced that General Ogolla died together with nine other soldiers, while two more survived.

However, before the government verified the news, many people had already voiced their opinions on what had happened in Sindar, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

All of the explanations were provided on social media, primarily on the X platform (previously Twitter), by people who had heard the news from others.

Within an hour, everyone on this platform (X) had become an investigation specialist, while others became security analysts.

Another group of political pundits attempted to resuscitate tapes of what President Ruto once stated about General Ogolla during an interview.

This was the situation on social media for the better part of last week. But, let me say this, as much as we are a democratic country and enjoy freedom of speech, it is important that we address the issue of Kenyans appearing to be experts in every field.

Kenyans, particularly on X, tend to talk about all they know and don't know about.

"Insensitive"

In less than 24 hours, Kenyans on Twitter (KOX) were all over posting information that the family of General Ogolla later described as "insensitive".

You will never truly grasp the grief of losing a loved one unless it occurs to you.

Joel Rabuku, General Ogolla's son, couldn't help but blast bloggers who shared news of the helicopter crash before the family was informed.

Joel is now being bashed for speaking the truth and expressing the family's grief.

I understand the impulse to share breaking news, but there is a need for all of us to think about everything before claiming the titles of breaking news specialists and, to some extent, analysts of events in which we have no prior experience.

The rumour-mongering is what almost changed the narrative of the death of General Ogolla and made it about the political incidents he was involved in rather than celebrating the life of a true soldier.

I heard good things about General Ogolla from a senior close friend who was once in the army. The gallant general was known for his humility, professionalism, and hard work, as he described him.

His humility is what made his junior soldiers admire him and his work. He appeared to them not as a boss, but as a leader with a great vision for the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

He was a people’s general. Some soldiers were moved to tears during his funeral due to his exceptional leadership abilities. The media disseminated photos of junior and senior soldiers crying in pain.

This is what we ought to have talked about the general. His career is an inspiration to not only soldiers but young people who aspire to be great leaders.

As General Ogolla rests, the government has only one job to do, leave no stone unturned and get answers on what led to the death of General Ogolla and the nine other soldiers.

The investigators should not leave any room for speculation. Just give Kenyans accurate findings from the probe.

As General Ogolla rests, the government has only one job to complete: find out what caused the deaths of General Ogolla and the other nine soldiers. The investigators should leave no room for speculation. Just give Kenyans accurate probe results.

We are all waiting.

The writer is a Mombasa-based communication and marketing expert.

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