The tragic death of Chief of Defence Forces Francis Ogolla and nine other KDF servicemen in a helicopter crash on Thursday is still fresh in Kenyans’ minds.
Among the soldiers was Ogolla’s close aide Captain Hillary Litali, a 29-year-old jovial leader of his team who was the sole provider and firstborn in his family.
In mourning, Litali’s father revealed that his son informed him of the mission to the Elgeyo Marakwet region in his last conversation on Thursday morning.
“He called me and told me he was headed to Marakwet with his boss for a mission. I encouraged him to stay dedicated to his work, and that was the last time I heard from my son,” the father stated.
The father also revealed that he found out about his son’s death via social media, after a friend called and gave him the tragic news.
“Somebody sent me a list of names asking me whether I have heard news of a chopper crash in Marakwet,” he recalled.
“I did not want to believe the tragic news, I decided to wait for a confirmation from the KDF officials themselves,” he noted.
Litali’s mother described her son as cheerful and obedient, highlighting projects he had promised to do for them including building a house.
“He was here on April 6, we were planting at the farm and we talked about the house he had promised to build for us,” the mother tearfully stated.
Hillary Litali joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 2013, and through hard work and determination was promoted to Lieutenant and then to Captain.
Litali, who was born and raised in Nakuru, hoped to become a Major someday.
Litali, in the company of his fellow servicemen, were headed to a Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where they were scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution. Unfortunately, the aircraft they were flying in crashed shortly after take-off.
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