Nandi Senator Kiprotich Cherargei has challenged remarks by former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka suggesting that the late former CDF General Francis Ogolla was deliberately targeted during an official inspection.
The dispute arose following Musyoka’s interview on NTV on Sunday, where he questioned the use of an 80-year-old aircraft to transport the general to a primary school project in a high-risk, bandit-affected area.
Cherargei described Musyoka’s claims as an attempt to drag the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) into political controversy, calling the statements “reckless” and disrespectful to the families of the deceased.
He urged the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record a statement from Musyoka to ensure accountability over what he termed disinformation.
“The KDF tabled a detailed report explaining the circumstances of General Ogolla’s death and the lessons learned,” Cherargei said. “It is inappropriate to politicize security matters, especially when the findings are already on record.”
The senator also highlighted the need to modernize KDF and police aircraft, pointing out that aging equipment poses risks to personnel deployed in remote or insecure locations.
“Kalonzo’s energy would be better spent advocating for adequate parliamentary funding for the security forces rather than spreading claims that undermine public trust,” Cherargei added.
General Ogolla, a respected figure in Kenya’s military, died while on duty inspecting ongoing development projects.
Previous official reports have confirmed that the death was not due to malicious action, and the KDF has outlined measures to improve operational safety for personnel in similar assignments.
The incident reveals ongoing concerns about the state of security infrastructure in Kenya, particularly in regions vulnerable to banditry and other threats.