Editor's Review

"We also demand that the family of the victims be independently represented in the investigation and inquest."

The Azimio la Umoja coalition has directed Mathare Member of Parliament Anthony Oluoch and Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua to launch a joint parliamentary inquiry on the death of late CDF Francis Ogolla. 

Speaking on Tuesday, April 23 during the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting, National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi said the opposition has seen worrying signs on the team investigating Ogolla’s death.

“We have authorized Honorable Antony Oluoch and Senator Enoch Wambua to lead a process of establishing a joint parliamentary inquiry involving both the Senate and the National Assembly into the unfortunate death of General Ogolla,” said Wandayi.

He continued, “Already we are seeing worrying signs, we have noted that Mr. Ruto set up a different investigation team away from the one gazette by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in the gazette notice dated 8th April 2024.”

The Ugenya MP also noted that the Azimio coalition has called up for a judicial inquest into the chopper accident as opposed to the investigations being led by the military.

File image of the late General Ogolla's burial ceremony in Siaya. 

Wandayi demanded that the families of the victims who died in the accident be represented in the investigation and inquest.

“The PG called for a judicial inquest into the accident and death as opposed to mare investigations led by the military that is close to civilians. We also demand that the family of the victims be independently represented in the investigation and inquest,” he added.

General Ogolla died on Thursday last week after a military chopper carrying him and 11 other military personnel crashed in Tot, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

Addressing the media on Thursday, April 18 night, President William Ruto mentioned that the Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched an air investigations team, to establish the cause of the air crash.

General Ogolla was buried on Sunday at his home in Ng’iya Siaya County.