April 19 (EUROPA PRESS) –
This Thursday, the White House conveyed its condolences to Kenya following the death of the head of the Kenyan Armed Forces, General Francis Ogolla, in a helicopter accident in which nine other people died and two more were injured.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has offered his “deepest condolences” to Kenyan President William Ruto, the Armed Forces, the people of Kenya and the loved ones of the victims. “We share Kenya's pain over this tragedy and offer our strong support in the coming days,” he said.
In addition, he took the opportunity to highlight that during Ogolla's almost four decades of service he was a “valuable partner in relations between Kenya and the United States” and “dedicated his life to making his country – and all of us – a safer and more secure place.
“From combating terrorist threats posed by Al Shabaab to leading efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in a variety of areas, he has left an indelible mark. Throughout his career, the United States enjoyed a close relationship with the general,” reads a statement from the White House.
Sullivan has highlighted that Ollega received pilot training in the United States and developed “strong relationships” with diplomatic and defense leaders in the country, including Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, and the commander of the Command of Africa, General Michael Langley.
Ruto confirmed hours earlier the death of Ogolla and the rest of the expedition, which had traveled to West Pokot county, in the west of the African country, to visit the troops deployed and inspect the renovation works of several schools in the area. The president, who has declared three days of mourning, has reported that an investigation has been launched to establish the causes of the accident.
