A comprehensive investigation conducted by the Ministry of Defence regarding the tragic deaths of Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla along with nine others in April 2024 has concluded. According to the final report, an engine failure led to the incident involving their helicopter.
As such, this conclusion dismisses accusations against both Maj. George Benson Magondu, the pilot, and Capt. Sora Mohamed, his co-pilot, ruling them innocent of any fault related to the accident. On Friday, the president received the investigative document after examining several potential causes leading up to the event—engine failure being identified based on observed sounds emitted prior to impact and overheating within the motor unit detected during analysis.
Accordingly, experts determined that internal heating compromised operational efficiency resulting ultimately in total mechanical shutdown characterized notably by a shift towards the left direction accompanied by decreased rotational speed levels audible alarms indicating reduced performance alongside altered acoustic patterns noted among observers present near the site post-collision.
In light of corroborative data collected throughout the course of examination outlined previously, officials declared definitively through official documentation published recently:
“The Bell UH-1H-II (known colloquially as ‘Huey’) model marked KAFOF1501 plummeted following a catastrophic machinery breakdown.”
Subsequent adjustments were implemented across procedures guiding activities undertaken under Kenyan Air Force jurisdiction aimed at preventing similar incidents moving forward.
This unfortunate aviation disaster unfolded approximately at 2:20 PM local time on April 18th, occurring somewhere close to Sindar Village situated within Elgeyo Marakwet County territory whereupon eight individuals met untimely demise including notable figures like Brigadier Swale Saidi, Col. Kasaine Ole Kuruta, Lt.-Col David Sawe amongst others mentioned earlier herein.
Additionally impacted were key personnel assigned directly supporting Gen Ogolla himself namely Caplain Hillary Litali, Sgt John Kinyua Murithi, Sgt Cliphonce Omongi, Sgt Rose Nyawiri plus Cpl Frankford Karanja Mogire – all excepting one listed individual surviving despite perilous circumstances surrounding the mishap itself.
Investigators closely interrogated these remaining alive participants together consulting additional eyewitness accounts amounting collectively thirteen sources providing crucial insights instrumental aiding resolution process underway culminating effectively now with issuance of definitive conclusions drawn forthright addressing questions raised initially concerning cause behind fatal air collision tragedy affecting high-ranking members serving nation’s armed forces leadership ranks thus far.
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