CNN —Kenya’s military chief, Francis Ogolla, died in a helicopter crash in the western part of the country on Thursday, President William Ruto announced in a televised address. “I am deeply saddened to announce the passing on of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces,” he said. The helicopter crashed shortly after take-off on Thursday afternoon local time, killing Ogolla and nine other members of the military, Ruto said. Ogolla was on his way to visit troops in the North Rift region of the country and to inspect ongoing school renovations, the president said. “For me, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, it is a tragic moment for the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity and it is a most unfortunate day for the nation at large,” Ruto said.

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Persons: CNN —, Francis Ogolla, William Ruto, “, Francis Omondi Ogolla, ”, Ogolla, Ruto, ” Ruto Organizations: CNN, Kenya Defence Forces