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• Fri Apr 18 2025

A year ago today, KDF Chief General Francis Ogolla boarded a military chopper with 11 other personnel on an official mission to Elgeyo Marakwet County

The team was visiting KDF troops deployed in the North Rift region, an area plagued by banditry, under Operation Maliza Uhalifu

The chopper came down a few minutes after 2pm, killing 10, including the General; 2 KDF personnel survived

Yesterday, the two survivors reunited during a memorial ceremony, with one of them opening up about the scars they carry

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Exactly a year ago today, on Thursday, April 18, 2024, then-Kenya Defence Forces boss Francis Ogolla boarded a military chopper with 11 other soldiers.

The two survivors were present during the memorial to mark one year since the chopper crash. Photo: KDF.

Source: Facebook

They were on an official mission in Elgeyo Marakwet County to visit troops deployed in the banditry-ridden North Rift region.

However, minutes after boarding the chopper, the helicopter came down in a horrific crash that occurred around 2.20pm. General Ogolla and nine other military personnel perished, with the incident throwing the entire nation into mourning.

Amid that dark time, Kenyans found a reason to smile as two of the KDF personnel who were on board the ill-fated chopper survived the crash, albeit with varying degrees of injuries.

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The two were Corporal Karanja, a military photographer and Colonel Kasaine Ole Kuruta.

Heartwarming reunion

Yesterday, the two reunited in an emotional KDF memorial to mark one year since the chopper accident.

Colonel Kasaine spoke during the memorial, with the scars on his face and arms, telling the unspoken tale of the painful aftermath of the crash.

He warmly addressed his fellow survivor, reminding him to live boldly despite carrying the scars and painful memories.

"To my fellow survivor, Corporal Karanja over there, we carry scars, visible and invisible. However, we carry more than scars; we carry a responsibility to live. To truly live and live well," he said.

Kasaine also thanked his beautiful wife for standing by him as he received treatment after the chopper accident.

Colonel Kasaine's speech during memorial

In his speech, the colonel said that though he grieves for his counterparts who died in the crash, he is also grateful to be alive.

He said the incident has taught him to treasure his time with his loved ones.

"I grieve in peace, and I choose to live each day in the memory of those who could not," he said.

Families of the other officers who died in the chopper crash were present, with the late Major Mangondu's dad thanking the KDF for support after losing his kin.

Corporal Karanja spotted back at work

As TUKO.co.ke earlier reported, Corporal Karanja was recently spotted in public, sparking reactions among Kenyans.

The military photographer was spotted taking photos of William Ruto during the Ulinzi Prime Health Services Fund launch.

He was spotted with one camera at hand, meticulously documenting the moment when the president unveiled the plaque of the fund, while another was attached to him, around his waist.

He looked dapper in a black suit, and many Kenyans were excited to see that he was back on his feet.

Source: TUKO.co.ke