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• The Nairobian
• Fri Apr 18 2025

President William Ruto (L) and Karanja Mogire (R) during the unveiling of the Lanet Regional Hospital [@williamsruto/X]

Frankford Karanja Mogire, a survivor of the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla, has made his first public appearance since the tragic incident.

In a photo shared on President William Ruto?s official social media accounts, Mogire is seen photographing the Head of State during the unveiling of a plaque at the Lanet Regional Hospital within the Kenya Military Academy in Nakuru County.

Karanja was clad in a well fitting suit complete with a tie, seen in action with two cameras, one at hand and another strapped on to the side.

Little is known about Karanja, a Mount Kenya University graduate who was a previously a copyeditor at a top media house.

His return to work has drawn widespread attention online, marking his first public sighting since the crash.

Our expansion and modernisation of medical infrastructure across the country guarantees every Kenyan access to quality and affordable care.



Opened the Lanet Regional Hospital at the Kenya Military Academy in Lanet, Nakuru County.



The 150-bed capacity facility brings specialised? pic.twitter.com/u7FXRWE3bn ? William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) April 16, 2025

The fatal crash occurred on April 18, 2024, at approximately 2:20 p.m., when a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter, registration KAF 1501, went down in Sindar, Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The aircraft was transporting General Ogolla and other senior military personnel as part of a tour to assess security operations and development projects in the North Rift region.

Tragically, ten KDF officers lost their lives in the crash, including Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira.

The Ministry of Defence has since released a report attributing the crash to engine failure, leading to a complete loss of power mid-air.

President Ruto had last year declared a three-day national mourning period beginning April 19, 2024, in honor of the fallen officers.