Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is set to hold a military honors service to celebrate Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla.
The ceremony will be held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang’ata starting 1pm today.
According to the programme shared by the military, Gen Ogolla’s body will leave Mashujaa Funeral Home for Ulinzi Sports Complex at 11:30am.
The ceremony will officially kick off some minutes to 1pm beginning with prayers, followed by speeches and finally the military honours.
Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Duale will be the chief guest. He is expected to arrive at 12 noon.
Military honors to celebrate General Ogolla will include; a reville, one-minute silence, 19-gun salute and missing man formation.
The ceremony is expected to conclude by 2pm, when his body will leave for Mashujaa Funeral Home.
General Ogolla’s body will then be airlifted on Sunday, April 21 early morning for Siaya County where the funeral service and burial will take place.
Meanwhile, before his demise, the late military chief is said to have prepared his family for his death.
“The General even told me that army personnel can die at any time, therefore, he prepared what his burial will be like,” his sister Peres Oketch was quoted as saying.
Apparently, the military chief showed his family members the exact spot where he should be buried.
“He even pointed to me where he wanted to be buried, behind his house in Ng’iya,” she added.
To save the burial costs, General Ogolla instructed his family to bury him in sheets as opposed to an expensive coffin as they would see fit.
In his will, the late CDF indicated he should be laid to rest within 72 hours after his demise, a wish which has since been fulfilled, seeing as he will be buried on Sunday.
Burial arrangements are being handled by the State in line with military protocols since he passed away while in office.
President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua among other heads of states within the region and beyond are expected to grace General Ogolla’s burial in Siaya.
