Kenyan president confirms military chief's death in plane crash
Release time：2024-05-21 23:25:06 Source：Stellar Stories news portal
-
NAIROBI, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed that military chief Francis Ogolla was among 10 senior commanders killed in a helicopter crash in the northwestern part of the country on Thursday. Ruto said Ogolla, chief of the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), was aboard the KDF Huey helicopter with 11 other military personnel. The helicopter took off from a local primary school in Elgeyo Marakwet County when it went down and burst into flames at about 2:20 p.m. local time (1120 GMT). Ruto, speaking at a televised news conference in the national capital of Nairobi, said that 10 military officers, including Ogolla, died in the crash, while two others survived and are now hospitalized. "This is a moment of great sadness," he added. The president said that Ogolla left Nairobi in the morning to visit troops deployed in the troubled region to fight bandits and inspect ongoing school renovation work. The Kenya Air Force has formed and dispatched an aviation investigation team to determine the cause of the crash, Ruto said. He also announced that the nation will observe a three-day period of mourning beginning Friday to honor the life and distinguished military career of the fallen general, who lost his life not only while in office but also while on active military duty. Witnesses said that the KDF helicopter crashed two kilometers away and burst into flames moments after taking off from an area along the troubled Elgeyo Marakwet-West Pokot border. "We saw the chopper come down, and when we rushed to the scene, we found the chopper in flames," said Evans Kipkosgei, a resident, adding that the site was immediately cordoned off by KDF officers stationed in the Kerio Valley. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan sent a condolence message to Ruto following Ogolla's death. "I am sending my condolences to the Kenyan commander-in-chief of the armed forces, President William Ruto, all Kenyans, and the families, relatives, and friends of all who have lost their lives in the accident," she said on her X platform, formerly Twitter.
（Editor:Liao Yifan）
- Previous：Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
- Next：Farm family’s newest crop shows China’s solar ascendancy
Related articles
- Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
- Japan says a collision during a nighttime drill caused the deadly April crash of 2 navy helicopters
- Beijing speeds up to build international tech innovation hub
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene vows to force a vote next week on ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson
- Dali cargo ship is finally brought back to port
- Disgraced Spanish Football Federation boss Rubiales returns to Spain
- Guangzhou Railway Group suspends 62 trains due to heavy rain
- Chinese researchers start 2024 Arctic expedition at Yellow River Station
- Jennifer Garner visits ex
- Double landmine blast kills one person and wounds at least 18 in Pakistan’s southwest
- Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
- Shanghai boosts services for inbound travelers
- Holiday trips ride high on cultural quests
- Xinjiang sees tourism rebound in first two months
- Rays opening day starter Zach Eflin placed on 15
- Tibet launches winter tourism campaign to lure more visitors
- China expects 210 mln road passenger trips during National Day holiday
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene vows to force a vote next week on ousting House Speaker Mike Johnson
- Ship that caused Baltimore bridge collapse has been refloated
- China's aircraft carrier Fujian sets out for maiden sea trials
Random recommendation
PSG fails to win the French league after drawing with struggling Le HavreMathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3Jets draft Qwan'tez Stiggers, CFL's top rookie who didn't play in collegeCarlos Rodón pitches 6 strong innings and Yankees hit 4 homers in a 15Gray pitches Cardinals past scuffling Mets 7Jesse Winker's grand slam sparks Nationals to 11Kane scores twice in Bundesliga but injuries hit Bayern, Dortmund before Champions League semisIsrael receives Hamas's response to Gaza truce proposal: officialPSG fails to win the French league after drawing with struggling Le HavreTwo Russian journalists jailed on 'extremism' charges for alleged work for Navalny group
- Copyright © 2024 Powered by Kenyan president confirms military chief's death in plane crash ,Stellar Stories news portal sitemap