Gen Francis Ogolla, born Francis Omondi Ogolla was the Chief of Defence Forces the highest rank in the Kenyan military. Ogolla was promoted in April 2023 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, President William Ruto.
Ogolla took over from General Robert Kibochi who attained the mandatory exit age 62. The swearing ceremony was held on the 29th of April 2023 at State House, Nairobi. Before he was appointed Chief of Defence Forces, he was the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces.
On 18th/4/2024, Gen Francis Ogolla was involved in a fatal helicopter crash and unfortunately, he was among the soldiers who didn’t survive the crash. His death was confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, William Samoei Ruto.
Gen Francis Ogolla Education
The General was a very educated man with a Master’s in his academic portfolio. He has a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict, and Peace Studies.
On top of that, he’s a graduate of ÉcoleMilitaire de Paris and the National Defence College of Kenya. He also holds a Diploma in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University.
Career
Gen Ogolla joined the Kenya Defence Forces on April 24th, 1984 before being commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 6th May 1985. After his commissioning, he was posted to Kenya Air Force where he trained as a fighter pilot with USAF and later served as an instructor pilot at the Kenya Air Force (KAF).
Other than, training as a fighter pilot, he was trained in other fields including imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism, and accident investigation.
Between 1992 and 1993 he served in the former Yugoslavia as an Observer and Military Information Officer. Being a Christian he served as the chairman of Military Christian Fellowship between 1994 to 2004. Between 2018 and 2019 he served as the co-chair of the Association of African Air Chiefs.
Rise through the Ranks
In his four-decade career, Ogolla held numerous positions in different fields within the military. He has served as the Base Commander at Laikipia Air Base, Deputy Commander of Kenya Air Force, Commanding Officer of the Tactical Fighter Wing, Operation Desk Officer at Kenya Air Force Headquarters, and Chief Flying Instructor at Kenya Air Force Flying Training School.
His major promotion came on the 15th of July 2018 when he was promoted to the rank of Major General and appointed as the Commander of Kenya Air Force. He served in this capacity for three years until 2021 when he was promoted to a higher rank becoming the Vice Chief of the Defence Forces serving under retired Gen Robert Kibochi.
Following the retirement of Gen Robert Kibochi, Francis Ogolla was promoted to the highest Military rank becoming the Chief of Defence Forces on April 29th, 2023.
Gen Francis Ogolla Death
The news of his sudden death was announced on the 18th of April 2024, following a helicopter crash that occurred shortly after take-off. Ogolla died along with nine other military officials with only two people surviving from the fatal air accident.
Gen Francis Ogolla Family
Ogolla was married to Aileen and the two were blessed with two children and a grandson.