Editor's Review

The special request by the fallen CDF would be fulfilled by KDF in favour of his widow.

As if he knew his death was nigh, the late Francis Ogolla left a host of wishes he would like to be fulfilled long after he is long gone.

It now emerges that he asked the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to treat his widow, Aileen Ogolla, to a holiday, with the choice of the destination remaining with her.

This was revealed by the deceased's sister Peris Ochieng'.

Addressing mourners in Siaya, Peris divulged that her elder brother asked her to address the wish to KDF which he served for decades until his death.

"He told me that after he died, and after his burial, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) gave my wife the money to go on a holiday. So the ball is in the court of the soldiers," revealed Peris.

Peris Achieng' addressing mourners at her brother's send-off.

Besides the wish, she also shared that her fallen kin had shown her his preferred site to be buried.

"He took me to the gravesite and explained there was where he wanted to be buried," she added.

Other wishes by the late CDF were for him to be buried within 72 hours after his death.

Having died on April 18, his send-off was scheduled for Sunday, April 21.

Further, Ogolla shunned any use of a coffin to bury him, wanting his body to be interred wrapped in sheets.

Ogolla died in a tragic KDF chopper crash on April 18 in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

He died alongside nine other military personnel who were in his company during his working tour of the North Rift region.

The fallen CDF is survived by his wife Aileen Ogolla, and their two children; Joel Rabuku and Lorna Omondi Ogolla