Kenya Defense Chief Dies in Helicopter Crash

Kenya's defense chief and nine other top brass died in a military helicopter crash in a remote area of the country, President William Ruto said.

The president, who had convened an urgent meeting of the National Security Council after news of the accident emerged, said nine other "gallant military personnel" on board were also killed while two survived.

"Today, our nation suffered a tragic air accident. I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces," Ruto told reporters.

Ogolla, 61, a trained fighter pilot, had only been in the post a year.

Ruto said the Kenya Air Force had dispatched an investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which took place in Elgeyo Marakwet county, about 400 kilometers northwest of the capital Nairobi.

Ogolla's helicopter went down shortly after takeoff from the village of Chesegon, where he and his entourage had been visiting a school after making stops in other areas to see Kenyan troops and other sites.

Ruto announced three days of mourning, with official flags to fly at half mast.

The bodies of the victims, draped in Kenyan flags, were returned to Nairobi on an air force plane, according to images shared by the presidency.

Kenyan media reports said this was the fifth military chopper crash in 12 months, with claims the aircraft were old and poorly maintained.

Kenyan authorities have long battled insecurity in the North Rift region, with armed bandits and cattle rustlers rampant.

The Bell UH-1B helicopter, nicknamed the "Huey," was developed in the 1950s and widely used by the US military during the Vietnam War.

"The helicopter burst into flames after crashing and it had more than 10 senior commanders on board including General Ogolla," a police officer had said.

Ogolla was appointed Chief of the Defence Forces by Ruto in April last year after a near two-year stint as deputy.