Defence cabinet secretary Aden Duale on Sunday April 21, 2024 disclosed details on how the late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla was forced to go to Bomas of Kenya during the August 2022 general elections.

Speaking during Gen Ogolla’s burial ceremony in Siaya County, Defence CS Aden Duale sought to defend Ogolla as he revealed a discussion he had with him a few months after the 2022 elections.

Duale argued that General Ogolla, who at the time was the Vice Chair of Defence Forces did not have the clearance to proceed to Bomas since he was not a member of the National Security Council (NSC)  but was acting on orders of powerful leaders.

In addition, the Defence CS claimed that Ogolla, questioned the decision to have him at Bomas but was allegedly informed that the decision from the leadership at the time was final.

For instance, Duale recounted a phone conversation when Ogolla explained how it had affected him mentally to the extent of losing weight.

“He called me and the family can agree with me, we had a conducive discussion; that he had even lost weight, that this thing was disturbing him,” said Duale.

According to Duale, the late Gen Ogolla was at Bomas of Kenya during the 2022 elections, after following orders from his bosses.

“So, he did it, General Ogolla went to NSAC and to Bomas,” said the Defence CS.

Meanwhile, Duale alleged that Ogolla shared with him text messages from his bosses and members of the NSAC, ordering him to go to Bomas.

Duale further disclosed that when Ogolla and his team arrived at Bomas, they were informed by the then IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati that presidential results would be announced at 3 pm.

He added that, at that point the late General sent another message informing his bosses that he needed to leave Bomas but he was told to stay there. 

“Gen Ogolla sent a text message saying the results would be announced at 3 PM, as a general, as a soldier what am I doing here? He was told stay with your colleagues,” explained Duale.

Duale further maintained that the late Gen Ogolla was a man of honour and was not politically affiliated.

The CS also dismissed claims of his involvement in the alleged attempt to usurp the results of the 2022 presidential election, which saw William Ruto declared President.

At the same time, Duale urged Kenyans to avoid enforcing a false narrative of the late General that may portray a negative image.

The CS’s comments came shortly after Gen Ogolla’s son, Joel Rabuku, had insisted that his father and President Ruto were good friends.