Gen Ogolla became head of Kenya’s armed forces in April last year

Kenya’s government has sent a team to investigate the helicopter crash that killed military chief Gen Francis Ogolla and nine others.

Gen Ogolla was among 12 occupants of the military aircraft that went down on Thursday afternoon shortly after takeoff in the north-west of the country.

Gen Ogolla was appointed Kenya’s Chief of Defence Forces in April last year.

Mr Ruto described his chief military adviser as a gallant officer who had died in the line of duty.

In an interview last May, Mr Ruto said he appointed Gen Ogolla as the army chief “against the advice of many people.”

The president said Gen Ogolla was among a group who tried to influence the 2022 presidential election results.

This is the first time that a Kenyan military chief has died in office.