Kenya’s Military Chief Dies in Helicopter Crash

Kenya's military chief General Francis Ogolla (R) shakes hand with Britain's King Charles III (L) and Kenya's President William Ruto (C) as they attend a military welcome ceremony during Charles' visit at the Mtongwe Naval Base in Mombasa, Kenya, on Nov. 2, 2023. Brian Inganga/AP Photo

NAIROBI, Kenya—Kenya’s military chief Gen. Francis Ogolla died in a helicopter crash west of the country, President William Ruto announced Thursday and declared three days of national mourning.

The helicopter was carrying 11 people, including Gen. Ogolla, when it crashed Thursday and caught fire in a remote area near the border with Uganda, killing nine people onboard, the president said.