Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has stirred public debate after claiming that the death of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla was not an accident, calling for an independent commission of inquiry to probe the incident. Speaking on Thursday, Kalonzo dismissed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) postmortem report that attributed the crash to mechanical failure, arguing that such a conclusion was insufficient.
Kalonzo, a former vice president, insisted he was ready to record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), saying, “Tell DCI Amin to summon me right now. Tutaenda kule Kenya nzima kwa miguu na Gen Z wote.” He questioned the logic behind deploying a top military commander to inspect a primary school, implying the mission lacked strategic importance and raised suspicions.
The April 18, 2024 crash in Elgeyo Marakwet claimed the lives of General Ogolla and nine other KDF personnel. The Ministry of Defence report indicated that the Bell Huey helicopter KAF 1501 suffered a catastrophic engine malfunction, which led to a total power loss and subsequent crash. Eyewitnesses reported a loud bang from the aircraft before it went down.
However, Kalonzo has rubbished these findings, asserting that General Ogolla, being the second most protected person in the country after President William Ruto, could not have perished under such circumstances without someone being held accountable. He termed the incident “criminal negligence,” arguing that the level of protection and maintenance expected for such high-level personnel should have averted any mechanical issues.
Further fueling speculation, Kalonzo claimed that attempts had previously been made to remove Ogolla from his position due to his role in the National Security Council. “It is on record that some people had vowed to remove him because he did his duty,” he said, hinting at possible foul play.
Kalonzo’s comments add pressure on the government to allow an independent probe into the tragic crash, as public skepticism mounts over the official explanation. The call for transparency echoes broader concerns about military accountability and political interference within Kenya’s security apparatus.
