What's happened
General Francis Ogolla, Kenya's Chief of Defence Forces, died in a helicopter crash in Elgeyo Marakwet County. President William Ruto declared three days of national mourning for the 61-year-old general and nine others who perished in the crash.
Why it matters
The death of General Ogolla is a significant loss for Kenya, impacting the military leadership and raising questions about the circumstances of the crash. The incident also sheds light on the ongoing political controversies surrounding Gen. Ogolla.
What the papers say
The Independent focuses on Gen. Ogolla's military career and the political controversies he faced, while Al Jazeera provides details on the crash and Gen. Ogolla's rise in the military ranks. Sky News emphasizes the tragic nature of the accident and President Ruto's response.
How we got here
General Francis Ogolla had a distinguished military career spanning four decades, culminating in his appointment as Chief of Defence Forces in 2023. His sudden death in the helicopter crash has shocked the nation and raised concerns about the safety of military operations.
Common question
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Kenya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a country in Eastern Africa. At 580,367 square kilometres, Kenya is the world's 48th largest country by total area. With a population of more than 47.6 million people, Kenya is the 29th most populous country.
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William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto CGH is a Kenyan politician who is serving as the fifth and current president of Kenya since 13 September 2022. Prior to becoming president, he served as the first elected deputy president of Kenya from 2013 to 2022.