Military parade, 19-gun salute: KDF to honour General Francis Ogolla in Nairobi on Saturday

The government has decided to honour his wishes to be buried within 72 hours of his death and announced he will be laid to rest at his home in Ngiya village, Siaya County.

The Kenya Defence Forces will hold their own event to honour their late boss with a Military Honours ceremony to be conducted tomorrow, Saturday, April 20, 2024.

According to a statement from Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, the Military Honours ceremony will be held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata from 1 pm.

"The honours will include a church service, military parade and a 19-gun salute. President William Ruto, the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, will attend the ceremony," said Duale.

"Others will be Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Senior government officials, the leadership of Parliament, the Judiciary, political leaders, commanders of the security sector and members of the Diplomatic Corps."

The Chief of Kenya Defense Forces was killed on Thursday, April 18, 2024, when the military chopper he was flying crashed at the Sindar area in Elgeyo Marakwet County at around 2:20 pm.

The ill-fated helicopter was also carrying 11 other military officers, nine of whom were killed alongside CDF Ogolla in the crash, leaving only two survivors.

Mr Duale also announced that a post-mortem examination was conducted on Friday at the Mashujaa Funeral Home at the Defence Forces Memorial Hospital.

"General Ogolla will be laid to rest in line with the established military procedures," he added.

"The following day, on Sunday, April 21, 2024, the remains of General Ogolla will be airlifted to Ng'iya village, Alego Usonga Sub-county, Siaya County, for burial on the same day. This will be preceded by a church service at his local church in Nduru."

It was also revealed that a memorial service will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, Lang'ata, "in line with the wishes of the family."