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Raila's Azimio coalition calls for judicial inquest into CDF Ogolla's death

Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla (R) speaks to President William Ruto as they prepare to receive Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla (unseen) during the ceremonial welcome at the State House in Nairobi on October 31, 2023. (Photo: Arthur Edwards/AFP)

By Barack Oduor | Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Azimio has asked two legislators to immediately begin the parliamentary process of forming a house investigation commission.

The opposition on Tuesday called for a judicial inquest into the death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Omondi Ogolla, with the involvement of his family.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition, led by politician Raila Odinga, stated this demand in a statement following a meeting of its Parliamentary Group (PG) at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Nairobi.

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"The PG called for a judicial inquest into the accident and death as opposed to a mere investigation led by the military that is closed to civilians. We also demand that the families of the victims be independently represented in the investigation and inquest," Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi said, reading the statement on behalf of the PG.

Azimio asked Mathare North MP Anthony Oluoch and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua to immediately begin the parliamentary process of forming a house investigation commission to look into the CDF's death.

"Already, we are seeing worrying signs. We have noted that Mr Ruto set up a separate investigation team away from the one gazette by CS Kipchumba Murkomen in the gazette notice dated April 8, 2024," Wandayi said.

General Ogolla, 62, died in Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet, on April 18, 2024, when the Kenya Air Force Huey helicopter he was travelling in, alongside 11 other military officials, crashed and burned.

He was laid to rest three days later, as he wished, following a funeral ceremony that President William Ruto and other government and military officials attended.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi issues a statement following the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition's Parliamentary Group meeting at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation offices in Nairobi on April 23, 2024. (Photo: Handout/Emmanuel Wanson)

Following questions from various quarters about the crash, President Ruto announced a military probe and promised that the results would be made public to clear up any lingering doubt that the family, military and Kenyans may have about the cause of his death.

Noteworthy is that military issues, such as the crash that killed General Ogolla and the nine others, cannot be the subject of investigations by civilians or civilian authorities. Parliament can, however, initiate an inquiry that adheres to its rules and procedures.

Murkomen, the Transport minister, appointed a team last week to investigate civilian aircraft mishaps, which have been on the rise.

The seven-member Aircraft Accident Investigation Team to survey all air mishaps that have taken place in Kenya for the last three years and the CS has clarified that the team will not extend its scope to military planes.

The team is made up of Captain Peter Maranga (chair), Captain Nduati Herman Njama, Rtd Lt Colonel Mike Mulwa, Ephantus Kamau, Captain Valentine Wendoh, Captain Martin Lunami, and Brenda Mwango, acting as the joint secretary.

It has three months to complete the task and present a report to the CS, including recommendations for preventing the recurrence of incidents.

They will also review all preliminary accident reports for accidents involving Kenya-registered and/or- operated aircraft presented by South Sudan and Somalia for the last five years·

The CDF died alongside Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu (the pilot), Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

A memorial service scheduled for April 26, in honour of the CDF, has been postponed.