The shocking death of General Francis Ogolla in a helicopter crash on Thursday, barely a year after becoming the country’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), mirrors that of Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru of Nigeria on May 21, 2021.
Gen Ogolla became the first CDF to die in office. The copter crash has triggered questions and rumours.
Attahiru had been the Chief of the Army Staff for only five months when he and 10 of his colleagues were killed as their aircraft, a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft Super King 350, went down.
The late Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru of Nigeria.
Photo credit: Pool
Just like Gen Ogolla, Attahiru was the first active-duty military chief to die in office in Nigeria.
Lt-Gen Attahiru was named the country’s military boss in January 2021 as part of a shake-up of the top command by then-president Muhammadu Buhari.
He was to help fight violence, including the terror group, Boko Haram in the north.
On Thursday, Gen Ogolla was onboard a Bell Huey II helicopter alongside 11 other military personnel.
He and nine others died while on a mission to beef up security and rebuild schools that had been shut as a result of banditry in the North Rift region.
On April 8, President William Ruto made a commitment to ensure Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel reached schools affected by banditry and general insecurity in the North Rift.
Everything is in place ahead of General Francis Ogolla's memorial service at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on April 20, 2024.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
In Nigeria, president Buhari appointed Attahiru in the wake of the deadly attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.
Attahiru had served as the Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole.
His promotion to be the country’s Chief of the Army Staff was, therefore, highly unlikely.
Just like President Ruto, the Nigerian head of state had settled on this unlikely choice, saying he was dependable and professional.
In 2010, Attahiru – a colonel then – was in Nairobi as a military student at the National Defence College.
General Francis Ogolla's memorial service at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on April 20, 2024.
Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation Media Group
He would return to Kenya for an Executive Education course offered by the Harvard Kennedy School in partnership with Aga Khan University in 2018.
Attahiru’s appointment as Chief of Army Staff was based on his experience in fighting banditry and terrorism, according to Buhari.
President Ruto named Gen Ogolla the CDF on April 28, 2023 despite the controversy of the latter’s alleged involvement in an attempt to “overturn the August 2022 presidential election outcome”.
In a later interview, Dr Ruto would defend the decision to appoint Gen Ogolla despite the claims.
Military personnel salute during late General Francis Ogolla military honours and memorial service on April 20, 2024.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
At the same time, the crash in Sindar, Elegyo Marakwet County, that claimed the General’s life added to the list of accidents involving KDF helicopters.
A military helicopter on a relief food supply mission crashed during take-off in Wajir County in November last year.
Earlier in the same month, a KDF helicopter went down in Kisamis, Kajiado West Sub-County, seriously injuring two pilots.
Another military helicopter crashed at Chemolingot Stadium, Baringo County, in July last year.
Onboard were officials who had accompanied Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on a security mission.
Lt-Gen Attahiru’s death in northern Nigeria followed a series of other air crashes involving the country’s military helicopters.
Just like in Kenya, the trend raised concerns over the conditions of the Nigerian military aircraft.
