KDF chief Francis Ogolla involved in chopper crash
A military chopper lands at River Enziu in Mwingi, Kitui County on December 5, 2021. A KDF helicopter crashed and caught fire in Sindar area, Elgeyo Marakwet on April 18, 2024.
A Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter has crashed and caught fire in Sindar area on the border of West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. The chopper was carrying Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla.
According to the police, five occupants of the chopper have died while three have survived.
The three survivors have been airlifted by a second KDF aircraft.
Elgeyo Marakwet County Commandant Peter Mulinge confirmed the incident.
According to the county commandant, the ill-fated aircraft was among three choppers which were leaving Cheptulel area.
It was the first to take off before crash-landing minutes later.
According to the county police boss, KDF has cordoned off the scene of the crash.
Vandalised schools
Nation.Africa has established that the chopper had taken off from Cheptulel Boys Secondary School in Sigor Constituency, West Pokot County, where the KDF team is reconstructing the school affected by banditry.
This follows President William Ruto’s order to the military last week to reconstruct vandalised schools in Chesegon area.
A resident, Mr Tito Lopuriang, who attended the meeting with KDF, says the officers had just finished addressing the public at the school before taking off in the military aircraft.
"The officers boarded the chopper and after a few minutes we saw the smoke," he says.
He said security, including the KDF team, had visited five schools that were affected by banditry for renovation.
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