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Ruto’s last conversation with CDF Ogolla & how CS Duale delivered death news

Gen. Francis Ogolla inspects a guard of honour on May 5, 2023. (Photo: KDF)

By Hanifa Adan | 19 Apr 2024

After learning of CDF Ogolla’s death, Ruto directed Duale to call military personnel on the ground to confirm the news.

President William Ruto, on Friday, disclosed how he learned about the death of the late Chief of Defence Forces, Francis Ogolla.

Speaking at the general’s home in Siaya County, said that he saw the tragic news but it was officially delivered to him by Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, moments later via a phone call.

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The president, upon picking up the phone, informed Duale that he was wary of receiving sad news.

However, with the subject of the crash being the helicopter crash, Duale had no other option but to inform the chief-of-defence forces that he had lost his highest-ranking military leader in the crash that occurred in the Sindar area of Elgeyo Marakwet.

“When I was on the line with CS Duale, I told him not to tell me negative news,” Ruto stated while the general's widow, Aileen Ogolla, and her family.

Orders issued to CS Duale

After learning of CDF Ogolla’s death, the head of state directed Duale to call military personnel on the ground to confirm the news.

“It took me a while, but then I asked Duale, to please call somebody on the ground and he told me there was a Major and a brigadier on the ground and I wanted to talk to them,” the President recalled.

President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua, PCS Musalia Mudavadi, Interior CS Kithure Kindikui Defence CS Aden Duale and military leaders at the home of the late CDF Francis Ogolla in Siaya County on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

Last conversation

President Ruto and the general met on Tuesday, two days before his death, and discussed matters of security and other topics as the two are accustomed.

“He gave me his itinerary of where he wanted to go on duty. He even mentioned to me that on Sunday he wanted to be at home in Siaya for the congregation of his home church and celebrate his father's 100th birthday.”

"If there is one appointment that I made that I am very proud of, it is that of General Ogolla because he deserved it. In the short time that he was our CDF, he made a big difference. From where I sit and with the amount of information I get, General Ogolla made a very big difference. Over the last one and a half years, we have had very minimal terrorist incidences in the country and it is because General Ogolla was smart, he knew what to do,” Ruto stated.

He emphasised that the general died on active duty and will be celebrated as a man of honour who sacrificed a lot for the nation.

“General Ogolla died on duty, responding to the cries of women, children, and hustlers. He died on active duty. That speaks volumes about him.”

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua praised the general as an honourable, committed, and patriotic man who loved his country.

"We were all under his command at the airport (after we saw the President off someday) as he assured our safety. We were with him two days ago at the Bomas of Kenya. He was full of humour and hope for this country. The general has died on duty and that is the pride of every soldier, dying as you serve the country," said Gachagua.

Siaya Governor James Orengo added that the nation ought to celebrate and remember the general.

“Many of us agree that CDF Ogolla was a patriot and a gallant soldier. There were times I met him at funerals and in the village and you would not think that he was a general. I hope that in mourning, we will appreciate the general for being patriotic,” Orengo said.

Ogolla will be laid to rest at his home in Siaya on Sunday, April 21, 2024.

President William Ruto, First Lady Rachel Ruto, and DP Rigathi Gachagua console with General Francis Ogolla's widow, Aileen Ogolla, and her family on Friday, April 19, 2024. (Photo: PCS)