The late Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) chief general Francis Ogolla relished moments with his family.
A family photo directory suggested a man who valued quality time with his immediate kin away from wartime terrain.
Ogolla perished alongside nine other military personnel in a tragic KDF chopper crash on April 18 in Elgeyo Marakwet county.
Per his wishes, he would be laid to rest within three days after his demise, and without a coffin.
As such, the burial was scheduled for Sunday, April 21.
A look into the photo gallery indicated that Ogolla, outside his demanding career, was a committed family man and friend to those close to him.
He often tagged along his widow Aileen Ogolla, his two children -Joel Rabuku and Lorna Omondi Ogolla -, his grandchild, and other kin.
During the deceased's military honours ceremony on the burial eve, his son eulogised him as one who socialised with people regardless of their statuses.
"Just like in the Beatitudes, Mzee was rich at heart. He gave out his all support without expecting anything in return. I learned from him that if you want to succeed, always give. Give without expecting anything in return," said Rabuku.
Born in 1962, Ogolla joined the military in 1984 as an officer cadet.
He would become a second lieutenant a year later.
Ogolla trained as a Kenya Air Force pilot.
He became a major general in 2018.
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta promoted him to the vice CDF post in 2021.
In April 2023, President William Ruto promoted him to be the substantive CDF, replacing General Robert Kibochi who retired.
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