Francis Ogolla's son: Why my father will be removed from Sh6800 casket, buried in a sheet

Joel Rabuku Ogolla, son of the late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The late Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla will be laid to rest in his Alego home, Siaya County on Sunday, April 21, 2024, per his wishes.

Speaking during a service at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday, his son Joel Rabuku Omondi said he was glad that the military and his family had worked closely to ensure the late General was granted his wish, a simple send-off.

He said the casket his remains had been put in was made of cheap wood, devoid of proper finishing because that was his nature, humility.

“The casket Mzee is lying in is a very simple mbao ambayo hata haijapigwa randa. I have just been told it cost Sh6800. Hii mambo mingi ya casket ati mtu mkubwa Sh500,000, Sh1million…this is a body he served the country with and now it is finished.

“Jesus was wrapped in a sheet and put in a tomb. Right now Mzee is wearing the uniform he donned in official functions but tomorrow we will wrap him in a sheet…extract him from the casket and lay him in the ground so that he can return to dust as quickly as possible, just the way he wanted it,” said Omondi.

He added that the late Ogolla loved Christ and always carried his Bible to missions.

Omondi called upon those who worked to retrieve the wreckage of the helicopter that Ogolla had boarded to look for his Bible as he would like to keep it as a memento.

The late General Francis Ogolla

His Bible meant a lot to him

“My mum and my wife were a bit slow but we would always engage in a competition to read the Bible and discuss mortality.

“He understood that his position was temporary and it would always end. Leading up to his death, he almost knew his time was up. Despite having many plans for the military, he spoke in a certain tone that would suggest, my son, I won’t always be here and you will need to take care of my wife and my other children,” said Omondi.

He said his father lived a simple life and respected everyone, never discriminating against officers based on their rank.

Omondi added that Ogolla was committed to the course and was dedicated to his work, often telling him how he would deal with the enemy, in a bid to restore peace in all parts of the country, especially banditry hotspots.

“His ultimate dream was to have a fully peaceful Kenya…he loved his family and gave everything for us,” he said.