KDF Releases Findings on General Ogolla’s Death Inquiry

A military inquiry by the Kenya Defence Forces has attributed the fatal helicopter crash that killed Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla to an engine malfunction, nearly a year after the incident that claimed the lives of ten officers in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The report, made public on Friday by the Ministry of Defence, concluded that the Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter, designated KAF 1501, suffered a critical engine failure while in flight. The aircraft was transporting General Ogolla and a team of officers shortly after completing a security tour in the North Rift region under Operation Maliza Uhalifu.

According to the findings, the helicopter encountered what investigators identified as an Engine Compressor Stall (Surge). Witness accounts referenced a loud bang from the engine area just before the aircraft lost power. The helicopter’s Measured Gas Temperature (MGT) gauge, once reconnected during the investigation, showed an extreme reading of 914 degrees Celsius — a figure investigators deemed consistent with engine failure.

The report detailed a sequence of events following the power loss. These included a leftward yaw, a reduction in engine revolutions per minute (RPM), an audible low-RPM alarm, and a shift in engine noise, all corroborated by eyewitness statements and the reconstruction of the accident scene.

The crew, described as both qualified and competent, reportedly attempted to guide the helicopter toward a safe landing zone. However, control of the aircraft was ultimately lost, resulting in a crash and explosion upon impact in a field referred to locally as Shamba la Amani, shortly after departure from Cheptulel Boys High School.

The incident occurred on 18 April 2024 at around 2:20pm in the Sindar area of Marakwet East. Out of the twelve individuals on board, only two survived — one of whom is believed to have been a photographer.

The Ministry stated that the Bell UH-1H-II Huey helicopter had previously demonstrated reliability across both operational and VIP assignments. The aircraft, manufactured by Bell Textron Aerospace in the United States, had been part of Kenya’s fleet since 2016 through a military assistance programme.

Among those who died alongside General Ogolla were Brigadier Swaleh Said, Colonel Duncan Keitan, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Magondu (the pilot), Captain Sorah Mohamed, Captain Hillary Butali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua, Sergeant Cliffonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

Following the crash, the aircraft was classified as having suffered Category Five damage — a term used to describe wreckage that is beyond economic repair.

During the memorial held last year in Siaya County, President William Ruto assured the public that a full investigation would be conducted to establish the facts behind the death of the military chief. “I have full confidence in KDF. They are our foremost professional entity in Kenya,” he said at the time, expressing confidence in the inquiry led by General Omenda.

The findings come after widespread calls by political leaders, particularly from the Nyanza region, for transparency. Siaya Senator Oburu Oginga had urged the government not to treat the crash as an ordinary incident, noting that the region had suffered a series of unexplained losses. He stated that while the crash had been described as accidental, history had taught them to remain alert to other possibilities.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka also demanded full disclosure, arguing that the death of General Ogolla had national implications that extended beyond his family and the military.

The Ministry has not indicated whether the full report will be tabled before Parliament or made available for public review.