Mzee Joel Oyieyo, father of the late Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla at his home in Nduru Village, South East Alego, Siaya County.
The gap left by the death of former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla is still deeply felt in Nduru Village, South Alego Location, Siaya County.
Though his tenure at the helm of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) was brief, Gen Ogolla left an indelible mark on his home village.
Unlike the day mourners thronged his father’s compound when news of his death broke, the atmosphere today is subdued, with little activity. The vast homestead, dotted with well-maintained houses and shaded by trees, has a quiet serenity.
The late general’s elderly father, Joel Okech Oyieyo — just two months shy of his 101st birthday — sits on a plastic chair under a mango tree, a spot he has adopted to rest for years, according to his family.
Mzee Joel Oyieyo, father of the late Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla at his home in Nduru Village, South East Alego, Siaya County.
Despite his failing eyesight, which prevents him from recognising faces, he speaks clearly and occasionally laughs at jokes.
A retired Kenya Railways Corporation employee since 1977, he recalls the day he received the news of his son’s death.
“That was how God planned it; we have no case against Him,” he says. The pauses in his speech are perhaps a sign that his son’s untimely demise remains a painful topic.
Gen Ogolla’s elder brother, Canon Exechus Ogolla, told Nation.Africa the loss was immeasurable.
“We suffered a great loss when my brother passed on. He carried heavy responsibilities and supported many people—widows, orphans, and others,” he said.
When asked if the government or the KDF had communicated with the family or offered support, Canon Ogolla replied, “We have not received anything in terms of information or assistance. However, I prefer not to dwell on the matter. It is in the hands of the government and they will communicate if necessary.”
On Friday April 11, just hours after the Nation.Africa interview with the family, a Ministry of Defence report said that the helicopter crash that killed Gen Ogolla and 11 others in April 2024 went down because of a fault in its engine.
Canon Ogolla added that many of the widows and orphans Gen Ogolla supported are now suffering in his absence.
General Francis Ogolla's father Joel Okech receives Holy Communion on his 100th birthday. (right) A portrait of late General Ogolla at Ulinzi Sports Complex during a memorial service and military honour of the late CDF on April 20, 2024.
“There are widows who depended on my brother’s help. Now they are struggling. Some of the orphans he helped can no longer continue their education,” he said.
He also mentioned the challenges facing their father, who requires constant and costly medical attention due to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Peres Owino, a widow from the village, recalled the help she received from the late general, saying his death devastated her.
“I still can’t believe Gen Ogolla is gone. He helped me educate my children and supported me directly after I was widowed,” she said.
“Many widows are suffering now. His death took away our hope,” she added.
St Thomas ACK Nduru Church, a project supported by Gen Ogolla, stands as a reminder of his contribution.
According to Jenipher Awuor, a member of the church, the general had plans to construct a perimeter wall to secure the church property.
“To date, we have not completed the work. His death was a major blow to us,” she said.
Many in the community attest that Gen Ogolla uplifted countless people through education and employment. Goddus Sewe, a fellow villager, said that during his short time as CDF, Gen Ogolla transformed the entire community.
“We’ve had people in top government positions before, but they did nothing like what the late general did. Some leaders fence off their homes and keep people away once they rise. That was not the case with him,” he said.
“God used the general to show that real leadership is about uplifting others. It will take years to find another leader like Gen Ogolla,” he added.
Meanwhile, in West Alego, also in Siaya County, the family of Sgt Cliphonce Omondi — who died alongside Gen Ogolla — is still waiting for any communication from the KDF or the government.
The late Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi.
Due to the sensitivity of the matter, family members declined to speak about the lack of communication.
While analysing the six major factors that could have caused the accident, the board of inquiry named by the Defence Ministry, and which presented its report to President William Ruto on Friday April 11, singled out the engine.
This was due to the noises the Huey helicopter made before the crash and a finding that there was excessive heat inside the engine. This heat, they deduced, contributed to a loss of power.
“The helicopter then experienced a complete power loss which was followed by a left yaw, drop in engine RPM (revolutions per minute), low RPM audio alarm and change in engine noise, as narrated by witnesses on the ground and accident scene reconstruction,” said the board’s report released on Friday.
“Based on facts and evidence gathered, and indicated in the findings above, the board of inquiry is of the opinion that the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) Helicopter KAF 1501 crashed due to engine malfunction,” the report said. “Consequently, in accordance with the recommendations of the BOI, Kenya Air Force has updated and reviewed its Standard Operating Procedures to avert future occurrence.”
A scene where a KDF helicopter carrying Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and 11 others crashed at Sindar, Kaben Location at the border of Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties.
General Ogolla’s aircraft crashed at around 2.20pm on April 18, 2024 in Sindar village, Elgeyo Marakwet County.
Others in the aircraft were Brigadier Swale Saidi (Commander of the Combat Engineers Brigade); Colonel Kasaine Ole Kuruta (a staff officer at the Defence headquarters who survived the crash); Colonel Duncan Keittany (who was on the Operations side of the defence headquarters); Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe (a Staff Officer for Infrastructure at the Defence headquarters); Major George Benson Magondu (the pilot); and Captain Sora Mohamed (the co-pilot).
There was also Captain Hillary Litali (General Ogolla’s Aide-de-Camp); Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi (a flight technician); Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi (part of General Ogolla’s Security); Sergeant Rose Nyawira (part of General Ogolla’s media team); and Cpl Frankford Karanja Mogire (who was part of General Ogolla’s media team and also a survivor).
The two survivors were a pivotal part of the investigations. They were queried by the inquiry board that also spoke with 12 witnesses.
