Siaya DG William Oduol Eulogises General Ogolla As An Officer and A Gentleman

Siaya Deputy Governor Dr William Oduol has received the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla with shock and disbelief.
Dr. Oduol described General Ogolla as an exemplary patriot who put the service of his country ahead of everything else.

“For those of us who had the opportunity to interact with the general we shall long remember the sobering effect and calmness that he brought to tumultuous situations,” said the DG solemnly.

“It is with deep sadness and regret, therefore, that I relay my condolences to crew, friends and family of the late General Francis Omondi Ogolla of Pap Nyadiel in Siaya County. May his family have fortitude in this trying times.”

Dr. Oduol also described the general as a humble and peace-loving person who could have been caught on the wrong side of history.

“He carried the dreams of many people, particularly the youth who through him learnt that focus and determination will propel anyone to greatness. He also embodied the spirit of justice in appreciation of merit as a reward for hard work. Ogolla soared beyond the tribal barrier,” said Dr. Oduol.

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The Siaya Deputy Governor joins a stream of dignitaries who have passed their condolences to the tragic demise of Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Omondi Ogolla.

The following is the full text of the DGs condolence message as outlined on his X page:

“It is with shock and disbelief that the country has received with sadness the passing on of CDF General Francis Omondi Ogolla. CDF was an exemplary patriot, humble and peace loving who put the service of his Country ahead of everything else. 

For those of us who had the opportunity to interact with the General, we shall long remember the sobering effect and calmness that he brought to tumultuous situations. He carried the dreams of many people, particularly the youth who through him learnt that focus and determination would propel anyone to greatness. He also embodied the spirit of justice in appreciation of merit as a reward for hard work. He did soar beyond the tribal barrier…….. 

With deep sadness and regret, I relay my condolences to the other victims of the ill-fated air crash, friends and family of the late General, the people of Kenya and specifically the County of Siaya. May we all have the Grace and Fortitude to withstand this unfortunate loss. 

CPA Dr. William Oduol, PhD. 

Deputy Governor, Siaya County .”

Meanwhile, as custom demands, a short while ago the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces Dr William Samoei Ruto officially announced the death of General Francis Omondi Ogolla.

The president confirmed that General Ogolla died on Thursday afternoon after a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter crashed in Sindar, Elgeyo-Marakwet County.

“Today at 2.20 pm, our nation suffered a tragic air accident at Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo Marakwet County. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces,” President Ruto said in a live address to the nation from State House, Nairobi on Thursday night.

With General Ogolla were 11 other military personnel, nine of whom perished in the crash while two survived.

The other officers who died in the crash are Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

DG Oduol extended his heartfelt condolences to all their families.