Public Servants Should Emulate Ogolla's Life- Professionals

By David Musundi

A section of professionals in Trans-Nzoia County Saturday send tribute to the family of late Chief of Defense Forces, General Francis Ogolla.

The body of Ogolla will be buried without a coffin in his Mor village home, in Alego Usonga constituency, Siaya county on Sunday.

However, Trans Nzoia County Professionals send their heartfelt condolences to the family of the late senior KDF officer together with his departed colleagues.

"We extend our condolences to the grieving families and president Dr William Ruto, the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, for the huge loss," Professionals Chairman Sammy Okema said.

Ogolla, 62, died alongside other nine military officers in a helicopter crash at Kaben in Elgeyo Marakwet county on Thursday.

Also, those who perished were Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keitany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu and Captain Sora Mohamed.

Others were Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

Their bodies were airlifted to Nairobi while two soldiers who survived the tragic incident were rushed to hospital for treatment.

In a message of solidarity, Okema highlighted the noble mission undertaken by General Ogolla and his team in securing peace, emphasizing their status as children of God.

Quoting from the bible the Book of Mathew 5:9, he urged the residents of Trans Nzoia County to honour the memory of the late General and his comrades by advocating for peace and unity within their communities.

The Professionals expressed their support for the grieving families and pledged their commitment to upholding the values of peace and cooperation in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Legal Counsel, Titus Makhanu echoed the sentiments of the Professionals, offering his condolences to the families and friends of General Ogolla and the other fallen officers.

He praised the late General as a dedicated public servant who sacrificed his energy and time to serve the interest of the country.

"His life shall be a great inspiration to public servants," Makhanu said.

The Chairman of the Kenya Red Cross Society Trans Nzoia Chapter, Ronald Griffins Wasilwa, further noted the humility and leadership shown by President William Ruto in the face of Ogolla's loss.

"Leadership is not as simple as many of us would think," Wasilwa said.

Former Cabinet Assistant Secretary(CAS) Eric Wafukho also paid tribute to General Ogolla, commending his exemplary career and dedication to his duties.

“I am greatly saddened by his untimely demise. His earned and decorated career was a source of inspiration to many public officers,” he said.

Earlier Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, the former Rift Valley Regional commissioner, sent his condolence appealing to the government to arise and deal firmly with banditry commanders along volatile Kerio Valley.

 "Time has come for the leaders fuelling terror attacks in the Suguta Valley to be apprehended to stop the intricate web of terror activities," Natembeya said.

 Natembeya believes that the banditry commanders, comprised of politicians who have for decades become beneficiaries of the well-coordinated banditry attacks.