Joe Omondi Ogolla, son to late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla, eulogised his father as a generous, God-fearing, loving and gallant soldier.
Joe acknowledged that his father died a proud man, as he was on a mission to finish Kenya’s enemies.
“He wanted to die fighting these enemies. He used to say ‘mkipewa mission ya kuenda kulima adui maliza kabisa. Confirm, ongeza tatu za kichwa’. (When sent on mission to finish the enemy do not spare them. Confirm, add some three more clicks to the head)” he narrated.
In line with his father’s wishes, Joe urged all security personnel to remain steadfast in the ongoing operations to eliminate bandits and terrorists.
“Do not fear Al Shabaab or bandits. Your boss did not fear the enemy so you should not do so. Everyone of us will lie here one day. The tears of the women and children in Baringo will not go in vain.
“To the soldiers carrying out the operation, and those who evacuated their bodies from the scene, do not despair. The operation has to go on.”
Based on advice and sit downs they had recently, Joe revealed that his father almost knew death was close.
“He understood that his position was temporary and it would always end. Leading up to his death, he almost knew that his time was up despite having very many plans for the military and his family,” the CDF’s son added.
Before his demise, General Francis Ogolla instructed his son to take care of his now bereaved wife Aileen Ogolla, and daughter Lorna Ogolla.
“It is a responsibility I am willing and ready to fulfill. He loved his wife very much.”
It appears that the late Ogolla loved his soldiers in the measure as his family.
“There was a very blurry line between love for his family and his soldiers. They may not have had the same privileges as us his children but he viewed us all the same.
“His worst days was when he heard any of his soldiers had been hit. He mourned like he was mourning his own child. He went on his knees and asked God ‘why is this happening?’. I need to finish this Al Shabaab and bandits completely,” Joe recalled.
Above all, General Francis Ogolla’s love and service to God is the biggest lesson his family will carry through.
Joe narrated an incident where his father spelt out the amount of financial debt owed to him by people.
“General told me the amount of debt owed to him by people and I teased him and said if he ever died I would go after those debts, but he said ‘No, iyo ni sadaka yangu kwa Mungu’,” the CDF’s son recounted.
General Francis Ogolla built a modern church back home in Siaya County, and was set to facilitate construction of a new Sunday school premises which would have been named after him.
The late CDF will be laid to rest on Sunday, April 21 at his family home in Siaya County.
