General Ogolla to Be Given Burial Befitting Head of State—KDF

Protocols have been planned in line with military procedures, Ogolla’s and family wishes.

The Ministry of Defence has unveiled events that will take place ahead of the burial of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla.

Ogolla and nine other military officials died on Thursday in a helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

The officers were on official duty to inspect rehabilitation programmes in schools and to assess the state of security under ‘Operation Maliza Uhalifu in the North Rift.

The burial preparations for the fallen General Officer have begun.

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“The interment ceremony of General Francis Omondi Ogolla will be conducted as provided for in the Defence Forces Standing Instructions No. 5 of 2020, which stipulates the Interment of Serving and Retired Heads of State, Deputy President, State officials and Serving and Retired General officers,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Ogolla’s funeral protocols have been planned in line with established military procedures and General Ogolla’s and his family’s wishes.

On Saturday, April 20, there will be a Military Honours and Memorial Service conducted at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata, Nairobi County from 1 pm.

President William Ruto will preside over the Military Honours and Memorial Service in Nairobi County and the Funeral Ceremony in Siaya County.

The ministry asked guests to be seated by 11am.

Other leaders expected to grace the event are Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, senior government officials and the leadership of Parliament.

Political leaders, Judiciary, Service Commanders, officers and service members of the national security sector and members of the diplomatic Corps will also be in attendance.

On Sunday, April 21, the church will conduct a funeral service at Senator Obama K’Ogello Primary School in Ng’iya village.

Guests have been instructed to be seated by 10am.

CDF Ogolla will then be buried at his home in Ng’iya village, Alego Usonga sub-County, Siaya County.

On Friday, April 26, there will be a Requiem Mass at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang’ata, Nairobi. Guests have been requested to be seated by 9am.

The family revealed that the burial has been rushed as per Ogolla’s wishes in his Will that he be buried within 72 hours of his death.

Ogolla is survived by a widow and two children. He has also left behind a daughter-in-law and a grandson.

Born on February 12, 1962, Ogolla was enlisted into KDF as an officer cadet on May 2, 1984.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on May 3, 1985, and posted to Moi Airbase where he trained as a pilot.

During his career in the KDF, Ogolla held several command, staff and instructional positions.

He was the Commanding Officer of Laikipia Air Base Tactical Flight Wing in 2007 and also the Base Commander of Laikipia Air Base from 2008 to 2014.

Upon promotion to the rank of Brigadier on April 10, 2012, General Ogolla was appointed the Deputy Air Force Commander and later promoted to Major General on July 13, 2018 and appointed Commander of Kenya Air Force.

—Source: The Star