President William Ruto on Sunday April 21, 2024 assured Kenyans that a report of investigations into the cause of the plane crash that killed Chief of Defence Forces General Ogolla and nine others will be made public.
President Ruto made the remarks while addressing mourners during the funeral ceremony of the fallen General Ogolla in Ng’iya, Siaya County.
He assured Kenyans that he has faith in the Kenya Airforce team that was tasked with investigating the chopper crash incident.
“I want to assure the country the KDF has the requisite integrity and professionalism to make sure there will be no shroud of doubt on Ogolla,” President Ruto stated.
“I have full confidence in the Kenya Defence Forces. They have demonstrated beyond doubt their professionalism and I am sure General Omenda and the team tasked with investigating the incident will lay bare the details of the accident that took General Ogolla away from us,” he added.
The Head of State added that Kenyans want to see the report on the chopper crash, adding that the Airforce will make sure there is no doubt about what happened to General Ogolla.
In addition, the president vowed to end incidents of extrajudicial killings and political assassinations in the country.
“We have lost many from extra-judicial killings and political assassinations. I committed to Kenyans that there will never be again any extrajudicial killings or political assassinations. There will never be bodies of Kenyans in River Yala,” Ruto said.
“As a country, for a long time, ethnic bigotry, ethnic profiling and ethnic chauvinism have informed our politics. I commit to Kenya that we decided to open a new chapter where every Kenyan will be given a chance based on merit. I want every child in Kenya to know that merit will be the yardstick for the far they want to go in life,” he added.
Meanwhile, President Ruto eulogized General Ogolla as a hard worker who had great plans for the country.
“When I got the news, it was a heavy moment for me because he was committed to the people of Kenya.
Therefore, as Kenyans, we lay to rest a great example of humility. You can see the influence he has had on his family. They are an inspiration. The family has made all of us strong because they believe in God and were brought up well,” he said.
General Ogolla was among the 10 military officers who died in a helicopter crash on April 18, 2024 along the border between Elgeyo Marakwet and Uasin Gichu counties.
The team was on a peace mission in the troubled Rift Valley region, which has been associated with banditry and cattle rustling.
