General Francis Ogolla Biography! The news of the death of the Chief of Defence forces Francis Ogolla on Thursday April 18 was received with great shock.
General Francis Ogolla, along with nine other military personnel, died in a KDF helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet while on duty.
He will go down in history as the shortest-serving Chief of Defence Forces, having held the office for only one year.
President William Ruto appointed General Francis Ogolla as Chief of Defence Forces in April 2023, as part of military restructuring.
Ogolla succeeded General Robert Kibochi, who retired at the age of 62.
The late General is survived by his wife, Aileen Ogolla, and two children.
Prior to his appointment, General Ogolla was the Vice Chief of Defence Forces.
The late CDF Francis Ogolla was born on February 12, 1962, in Siaya County.
He enlisted in the military on April 24, 1984, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 6, 1985.
He was sent to the Kenya Air Force and started his military career as a fighter pilot.
Gen Ogolla is a graduate of the École Militaire de Paris and Kenya’s National Defence College.
He has a Diploma in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict, and Peace Studies (First Class Honors), and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
He ascended through the ranks to become Major General and was appointed Commander Kenya Air Force on July 15, 2018, a position he held held for three years.
Gen Ogolla has held a variety of positions in Training, Command, and Staff over his career.
These positions include Deputy Commander of the Kenya Air Force, Base Commander of Laikipia Air Base, Commanding Officer of the Tactical Fighter Wing, Chief Flying Instructor at the Kenya Air Force Flying Training School, and Operations Desk Officer at Kenya Air Force Headquarters.
On July 23, 2021, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and appointed Vice Chief of the Defence Forces.
During his spare time, he enjoyed reading and playing golf.
READ: Four Kenyans Named to Prestigious Forbes Africa Under 30 List
