Paul Muite Exposes Gaps From CDF Ogolla Chopper Crash Report
Senior Counsel Paul Muite has questioned the government’s report, which ascribed former Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla’s helicopter crash to an engine problem.
Muite, in a brief statement issued on Saturday, April 12, cited flaws in the paper provided by the Ministry of Defence, stating that the report did not include details about what caused the engine failure.
The renowned barrister went on to demand the government to fully disclose what caused the engine failure that killed the military head.
While doubting the inquiry team’s ability, Muite also urged the government to release appropriate information about the aircraft’s maintenance schedule.
Given the trust deficit in the Regime in power & suspicions;full details of what caused the engine failure including servicing to exclude deliberate interference is what people were expecting.Was there an experienced Investigator who pulled out?
— Paul Muite SC (@Paul_Muite) April 12, 2025
“Given the trust deficit in the regime in power and suspicions, full details of what caused the engine failure, including servicing to exclude deliberate interference, are what people were expecting. Was there an experienced investigator who pulled out?” Muite questioned.
According to Muite, most regimes use complacent Commissions of Inquiry to buy time until public indignation subsides.
The prominent lawyer disclosed that governments frequently use Commissions of Inquiry to hide the facts.
He also noted similarities between Ogolla’s helicopter crash story and that of former Interior Minister George Saitoti.
“Governments employ Commissions of Inquiry to ‘buy time’ so that public anger subsides, plus appointing subservient commissioners,” the lawyer commented.
“More often than not, it’s a strategy for covering up the truth. Is there anyone who trusts the Saitoti Commission findings?”
Muite’s comments came hours after the Ministry of Defence released a study confirming that the helicopter carrying the former CDF and ten other military personnel crashed due to an engine problem.
What Killed Gen. Ogolla And Missing Details:
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 11, 2025
What is not included in the report on the helicopter crash that killed CDF Francis Ogolla and nine other soldiers?@DuncanKhaemba takes us through the summary that has been made public.#NTVWeekendedition @MichelleNgele_ pic.twitter.com/9LcebC4HVz
The complete investigation, which was released on Friday, April 11, presented a full review of all aspects of the accident in order to determine the actual reason for the incident.
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During the investigation, the investigators considered issues like as weather and the weight of the helicopter.
After months of investigation, the inquiry panel determined that the former military head was killed by a Huey helicopter purchased from the United States that had engine difficulties, culminating in the accident.
“However, dependent on information from the survivors, after experiencing a complete power loss, the pilots of KAF 1501 attempted to control the helicopter to a clear landing zone but lost positive control of the aircraft,” the probe revealed.
“Based on facts and evidence gathered, and indicated in the findings above, the Board of Inquiry believes that the Bell UH-1H-II (Huey) helicopter KAF 1501 crashed due to Engine Malfunction,” the report added.
Paul Muite Exposes Gaps From CDF Ogolla Chopper Crash Report
