President William Ruto has addressed the allegations surrounding CDF Francis Ogolla’s involvement in announcing the 2022 General Elections results.
Speaking during the Ogolla’s memorial service at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday, April 20, the president noted that before appointing the deceased as the general, they had a close meeting to address the general election.
“General Ogolla told me the following, Mr President, I have no defence, I will not try to defend myself, what happened was wrong,” Ruto spoke.
According to Ruto, the late General presented him with three choices, among them a plea for forgiveness.
“You can either send me to court-martial, have me retire, or forgive me,” Ruto reminisces about the General's conditions.
Citing his case at the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the chaos that erupted after the 2007 General elections, Ruto added that his past experiences made him reflect more on Ogolla’s requests.
The head of state further noted that among the most sensitive positions when making appointments was that of the Police Inspector General, Interior Cabinet Secretary, National Intelligence Service Director General and that of the Chief of Defence forces.
“I had been told to be careful who I appoint into those offices because they mean a lot and they are sensitive,” he added.
"I was told not to be shy about appointing people from my tribe as it was safer, but we were taking a different trajectory as a country, where merit matters," he stated justifying his decision to appoint Ogolla as the CDF.
Also speaking during the same function before the president's tribute was Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga, who requested Ruto to clear allegations flying around about the General's involvement with the 2022 General Elections at the Bomas of Kenya.
“Before we put the General to rest, your Excellency I want us to remove the stigma 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."
CDF Ogolla will be laid to rest on Sunday, April 21, at his home in Siaya County.
