The late General Ogolla didn't try to overturn presidential results in 2022 - Raila

NAIROBI,  Kenya 

Kenya's opposition leader, Raila Odinga has dismissed assertions made by the ruling elite claiming that the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla was among high-ranking military personnel who attempted to overturn President William Ruto's victory at the 2022 polls.

Addressing attendees at a military honours ceremony commemorating Ogolla on Saturday, Mr. Odinga urged President Ruto to dispel any allegations linking the late General to electoral interference in the past.

Mr. Odinga further asserted that he personally knew Ogolla, highlighting him as a man of character and integrity who would not pressure the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to manipulate the election results.

"As we lay Ogolla to rest, I want us to remove the stigma, Your Excellency, because I knew this man very well. General Ogolla would never have contemplated or thought about going to Bomas of Kenya to force Mr. Chebukati to alter the results of the last General Elections. So we want this to be removed as we lay him to rest," said the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party boss.

In 2023, during a joint media interview at State House in Nairobi, Ruto claimed that General Ogolla attempted to overturn his victory at the 2022 polls, while explaining why he appointed him as CDF regardless.

Ruto added that he elevated General Ogolla to the position due to his qualifications despite the fact that some of his advisors were against it.

"General Ogolla is among the people who went to Bomas to try and overturn my victory, but because when I looked at his CV, he was the best person to be General. Many things that are part of my system overweighed what he had done," Ruto said then.

General Ogolla was killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday in Sindar area in Elgeyo Marakwet County, alongside nine other military personnel.

He will be laid to rest on Sunday at his home in Ng’iya village, Siaya County after the government decided to honour his wishes to be buried within 72 hours of his death.