Kenya Defence Forces Top Military Ranks Francis Ogolla Rose Through to Become CDF

 

The late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla who died in a chopper crash in Elgeyo Marakwet rose through various military ranks before becoming the most decorated soldier in the country. Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Francis Ogolla's portrait and picture of Francis Ogolla inspecting a troop in Rwanda. He died on a chopper crash.  President William Ruto promoted Ogolla to serve as chief of defence forces on April 2023. Ogolla served as a general of the highest rank in the military since his appointment.  He took over the position from Robert Kibochi who had retired after 44 years of service in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Ogolla was a four-star general, a rank only reserved for the CDF. At any given time, there can only be one four-star general in the military.  In the position of CDF, his responsibilities also included serving as the principal military adviser to the president and Cabinet. Ogolla served in the military for close to 40 years. He is also the first CDF general to die in office. Here are ranks that Ogolla passed through before becoming the country's CDF; Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Ogolla was appointed to the position of vice chief of the defence forces on July 23, 2021. Deputy CDF is a three-star general and holds the rank of lieutenant general.Major General Major generals are officers holding the rank of two-star generals, encompassing service commanders of the Kenya Air Force and the Kenya Navy. Brigadier For one to become a brigadier they must have completed a minimum of 12 years of service in the military, demonstrating outstanding performance. Colonel These individuals serve as KDF staff, having received training at the Defence Staff College. Lieutenant-colonel These consist of seasoned officers capable of leading up to 600 troops. Major This is a position that is held by soldiers who have served up to eight years. The is mostly involved in the decision-making process. Captain This is a category where one must have served up to six years. The captain is usually in charge of up to 50 officers. Lieutenant This is a position held by officers who have served from three to five years in the military. Second Lieutenant This is the lowest ranked commissioned officers in the Kenya Defence Forces. This position is mostly occupied by junior officers from training college. Ogolla's training as a fighter pilot General Ogolla joined the military in April 1984 and got commissioned to the position of second lieutenant in 1985. Upon his commissioning, he was assigned to the Kenya Air Force, where he commenced his military journey as a fighter jet pilot. He underwent training as a fighter pilot and instructor pilot through the United States Air Force, supplemented by instruction in diverse fields including imagery intelligence, counter-terrorism, and accident investigation. How Ogolla died General Francis Ogolla died in a chopper crash on April 18. Ogolla was onboard a KDF plane that crashed in Keben on the border of the Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties. In his company were, nine other ranking military officials who also died in the crash; two occupants survived. 

by  Faith Chandianya