Photographer Frankford Karanja Mogire is currently recovering in Eldoret Regional Hospital (ERH) after miraculously surviving a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of 10 Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers, including Chief of Defence Forces Francis Omondi Ogolla.
The tragic incident unfolded on Thursday, April 18, when the helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Kaben, Elgeyo Marakwet county.
The accident occurred at 2:20 pm, as confirmed by President William Ruto in a televised address to the nation later that evening.
Karanja, an active social media user known for his inspirational posts, graduated from Mount Kenya University in 2016 and joined NTV as a copy editor in 2018.
In a recent post, he shared his thoughts on success, saying, “Success has so many fathers, but failure is an orphan.”
His hobbies are travelling, hiking, culture and photography.
He also likes vlogging and has a YouTube channel, titled Uncharted Destinations.
Following the crash, Karanja’s best friend, Mc Dominic Mwangi, posted a heartfelt message wishing him a quick recovery.
“I thank God for you bro. Quick and speedy recovery bro. #darkevening,” Mwangi wrote.
President William Ruto officially confirmed the death of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla Thursday night.
The President said Ogolla passed away alongside nine other military officials in a tragic air accident at Sindar area, Kaben location, Tot division, in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
He said the accident occurred at 2.20 pm.
“I’m deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces,” Ruto said during his address to the nation at State House, Nairobi.
The President said two military officers survived the accident and are receiving treatment in Nairobi.
The nine officers who perished alongside General Ogolla are Brig Swaleh Saidi, Col Duncan Keitany, Lt Col David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu (who was also the pilot), Capt Sorah Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinywa Mureithi, Sergent Cliffonce Omondi and Sergent Rose Nyawira.
Ruto announced a three-day national mourning period starting Friday, April 19, 2024 in honour of the fallen General.
Ruto said during the period, the Kenyan flag and that of the Kenya Defence Forces, the East African Community and flags of all formations of the military shall fly at half mast in Kenya and Kenyan missions abroad.
“In honour of the life and the distinguished military career of the fallen General, who lost his life not just while in office but in active military duty, the nation will observe a period of three days of mourning commencing tomorrow the 19th of April, 2024,” the President said in a televised address to the nation at State House, Nairobi.
