APA-Nairobi (Kenya) President William Ruto has ordered a thorough investigation into the chopper crash which killed nine senior military including Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla.
There were only two survivors after the helicopter crashed in Elgeyo Marakwet county, 400km of Nairobi, shortly after take-off.
Ruto was leading a befitting send-off for General Ogolla who was laid to rest at his Alego home in Siaya County in a colourful ceremony complete with a 19-gun salute on Sunday.
The Kenyan leader assured his country that everything will be done to investigate the cause of the accident that claimed General Ogolla’s and the lives of nine other Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers.
“I want to assure the country that KDF and the Kenya Air Force have the requisite integrity and professionalism to make sure that there will be no shroud of doubt on what happened to General Ogolla,” he said.
He was speaking during General Ogolla’s burial service at Obama K’Ogello Primary School.
President Ruto who claimed he was proud to have appointed and worked with the fallen CDF added: “He loved this country and wanted the best for Kenya and would stop at nothing to make sure that Kenya was safe”.
President Ruto said the country had lost a great military leader who served his country with passion and unwavering commitment.
He described General Ogolla as a consummate military officer, a passionate commander and a patriot of great humility and integrity.
“Many people do not understand the loss that we have incurred as a country. There are very few leaders who can fit in the categorisation and shoes of General Ogolla,” he said.
Present were First Lady Rachel Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, governors, Cabinet Secretaries and MPs, among others.
WN/as/APA