President William Ruto today appointed Major General Francis Omondi Ogolla Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, effective today.
Lt Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla joined the Kenya Defence Forces on 24 April 1984 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 6 May 1985 and posted to Kenya Air Force. He trained as a fighter pilot as well as an instructor pilot with the United States Air Force (USAF). He also trained in other fields including imagery intelligence, counter terrorism and accident investigation.
Lt Gen Francis O Ogolla is a graduate of ÉcoleMilitaire de Paris and National Defence College of Kenya. He holds Diploma both in International Studies and Military Science from Egerton University, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Armed Conflict and Peace Studies (First Class Honors) and Masters of Arts in International Studies from the University of Nairobi.
He rose through ranks to become a Major General and appointed the Commander Kenya Air Force on 15 July 2018 a post he has served for three years. Previously, he has held various appointments in Training, Command and Staff including Deputy Commander Kenya Air Force, Base Commander Laikipia Air Base, Commanding Officer of Tactical Fighter Wing, Chief Flying Instructor at Kenya Air Force Flying Training School and Operations Desk Officer at Kenya Air Force Headquarters.
He also served in the former Yugoslavia as an Observer and Military Information Officer from 1992 to 1993, as chairman of Military Christian Fellowship from 1994 to 2004 and co-Chair of Association of African Air Chiefs between 2018-2019.
Francis Omondi Ogolla is married to Aileen, blessed with two children. His hobbies include reading and playing golf.
