In a news conference, President William Ruto said it was a “moment of great sadness” for the country.
Kenya’s military chief, Gen Francis Omondi Ogolla, has died after a military helicopter crashed in the west of the country, the president said
Gen Ogolla – Kenya’s highest ranking military officer – was in the helicopter alongside 11 other military personnel. Only two people survived.
He had earlier convened an urgent security council meeting.
Mr Ruto said the crash happened at 14:20 local time (12:20 BST). The Kenya Air Force has dispatched an air investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, the president said.
The helicopter came down in Elgeyo Marakwet county, some 400km (250 miles) north-west of the capital Nairobi. “Unfortunately, the aircraft crashed shortly after take off,” Mr Ruto said.Gen Ogolla was appointed by Mr Ruto in April last year, after serving as the Commander of the Air Force and Deputy Chief of Defence Forces.
Mr Ruto described Gen Ogolla -who was also the chief military adviser to the president – as a gallant officer who died in the line of duty.