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Kenya military chief Gen Francis Ogolla killed in helicopter crash
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.
In a news conference, President William Ruto said it was a “moment of great sadness” for the country. 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.
“Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals, gallant officers, service men and woman,” Mr Ruto told the nation.
The nation will observe a three-day period of mourning, commencing on Friday 19 April. The flags in the Republic of Kenya and in Kenyan missions abroad will fly at half mast, Mr Ruto said.
Gen Ogolla first joined the Kenya Defence Forces on 24 April 1984, according to the Kenyan defence ministry’s website. He was due to mark 40 years in the military next week.
He began his career as a 2nd Lt in the country’s air force, where he trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force, the ministry says. In 2018, he became Commander of the Kenya Air Force – a role which he held until becoming the country’s military chief.
Nine others killed in the crash were senior military officers: Brig Swale Saidi, Col Duncan Keittany, Lt Col David Sawe, Maj George Benson Magondu, Capt Sora Mohamed, Capt Hillary Litali, Snr Sgt John Kinyua Mureithi, Sgt Cliphonce Omondi, and Sgt Rose Nyawira.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, chair of the African Union Commission, said “our thoughts and prayers” go out to Kenya’s president, government and people following the “tragic helicopter accident”.
The two survivors are in critical condition and undergoing treatment.
The officers had travelled to Kenya’s North Rift region, which has been plagued by banditry.
They were on a mission to reopen some of the schools closed following bandit attacks. They had also visited military officers deployed to stabilise the region.
The incident marks the second time in three years that a helicopter crash has killed at least 10 military officers in Kenya. At least 10 soldiers were killed in June 2021 when their helicopter crashed while landing near the capital of Nairobi.
(BBC)
Australia
If Australia win the Sydney Test against India, they are through to the WTC final regardless of results in Sri Lanka – if Australia were to win in Sydney but lose both Tests in their upcoming series in Sri Lanka, they would finish on 57.02 percentage points to India’s 50 and Sri Lanka’s 53.85.
A draw in Sydney will keep them ahead of India, but it would leave the door open for Sri Lanka to sneak through; if Australia were to draw in Sydney but lose both Tests in Sri Lanka, they would finish on 53.51, while Sri Lanka would climb up to 53.85.
If Australia were to lose in Sydney, they would need one win in Sri Lanka to qualify. A 1-1 verdict in Sri Lanka after losing in Sydney would leave Australia on 57.02 to India’s 55.26. If Australia draw both Tests in Sri Lanka after losing in Sydney, India and Australia will be level on 55.26, but India will qualify on the basis of having won more series in this WTC cycle.
India
Percent: 52.78; matches remaining: Australia (1 away)
India need to win in Sydney to stay in contention for the WTC final. A win would take India to 55.26, which would be enough for them to finish second if Australia were to achieve no more than two draws in Sri Lanka. As mentioned above, if Australia draw both Tests, they will finish level with India on percentage, but India will qualify with more series wins in this cycle. If Australia lose 1-0, they will drop to 53.51, and Sri Lanka will finish with 48.72 (with a 1-0 win).
However, if India only manage a draw, they will drop to 51.75 and will be out of the WTC final race. That is because even if Australia were to lose both Tests in Sri Lanka after drawing in Sydney, they would finish on 53.51, while Sri Lanka would climb up to 53.85.
Sri Lanka
Percent: 45.45; matches remaining: Australia (2 home)
The only way Sri Lanka can qualify is if the Sydney Test ends in a draw and they then beat Australia 2-0. In that case, Sri Lanka, on 53.85, would finish above Australia (53.51) and India (51.75).
If India win in Sydney, they will knock Sri Lanka out. Australia, also, will certainly finish ahead of Sri Lanka if they go to 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
[Cricinfo]
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“Our vision is to create a future where every citizen can live a peaceful, free, dignified and fulfilling life, transcending barriers of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion”- Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya in her New Year message for 2025 says that the government’s vision is to create a future where every citizen can live a peaceful, free, dignified and fulfilling life, transcending barriers of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
The full text of the Prime Minister’s New Year message:
“This year has been a truly transformative year for us Sri Lankans. The citizens of this country have chosen change: a clean and people centered political culture and empathetic society, unity as opposed to division.
As a responsible government, we remain committed to uplifting the nation in various critical areas, including the economy, industry, and education. Our vision is to create a future where every citizen can live a peaceful, free, dignified and fulfilling life, transcending barriers of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
We have had several opportunities in the past to unite as a nation, but we failed to fully realize the benefits of those moments. However, we must now ensure that this opportunity is not missed and that we work collectively to preserve it. At this critical time, as the state is fully committed to serve the public, I urge everyone to step forward with determination as we enter the year 2025.
While the journey towards a brighter future is challenging, we have already taken significant steps towards achieving that goal. As we approach the threshold of a new year filled with hope and promise, I extend my sincere best wishes to all citizens for a peaceful, happy, and prosperous 2025.
I invite everyone to come together with a shared purpose, setting aside all differences, as we embark on this new year to ensure its success and work towards building a better future for the Sri Lanka. Our collective focus should be to restore the name of “Sri Lanka” as a proud and prosperous nation on the global stage.”
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“We now have the chance to make the dream of a united and developed nation a reality through people-centered governance” – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his New Year message for 2025 says that “for the first time in Sri Lanka’s history since independence, we now have the chance to make the dream of a united and developed nation a reality through people-centered governance”
The full text of the Preaident’s message:
“As Sri Lankans, we step into 2025 with the dawn of a new era, a time when the dreams of prosperity that our nation and its people have long cherished begin to materialize.
The parliamentary elections of 2024 enabled us to establish a government with a strong majority, earning the trust of people across the North, East, West, and South. With this mandate, we have initiated a transformative political shift, fulfilling our democratic responsibilities to build the good governance our citizens aspire to.
Our primary developmental goals include eradicating rural poverty, implementing the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, and building a digital economy. The “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, launched alongside the New Year, aims to uplift society to greater heights through social, environmental, and ethical revival.
In 2024, we achieved significant economic stability as a nation. With this progress as our foundation, we move forward in 2025 with renewed vision and determination, working towards creating a prosperous nation and ensuring a beautiful life for everyone. I firmly believe this moment marks an exceptional opportunity to inspire new ideals and foster greater unity for the benefit of all.
For the first time in Sri Lanka’s history since independence, we now have the chance to make the dream of a united and developed nation a reality through people-centered governance. This unparalleled responsibility rests upon all of us, and we fully understand its importance. In 2025, with courage and unwavering commitment, we will strive to regain the victories missed in the past century and bring these dreams to fruition.
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year filled with prosperity, unity, and renewed hope as we strive for peace and progress together.”
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