The late General Ogolla’s sister Peris Onyango has intimated that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) boss wished that his wife Aileen be taken on a vacation after his death.
While paying tribute to her brother during a memorial service in Siaya on Sunday, Peris said that General Ogolla always had three wishes he wanted to be realised after his demise.
The first wish, Peris noted, was to be buried 48 hours after breathing his last, a statement Onyango hastily vetoed forcing the General to extend the timeline.
“He told me Peris a soldier can die anytime. So if I die I want to be buried within 48 hours. And then I said ‘what do you mean’ then he said Peris I know you can give them problems so I’m adding you more hours let it be 72,” she said.
Peris added that Ogolla also specified the precise spot he would want to be laid to rest and lastly, he wanted the army to take his wife, Aileen Kathambi Ogolla, for a vacation.
“He told me when I die after burial, jeshi (army) to give mama Achieng’ (Achieng’ is Ogolla’s daughter) money to go for holiday. So jeshi you have work to do. Mama Achieng’ must go on holiday.”
She went on to add that Ogolla was their mother’s favorite child and has since exhibited an admirable character upto his entry into the KDF.
“General was a special child in our family. In fact, our mother really loved him more than us. So sometimes we would just prick his head because he was loved too much. We were being beaten and he was not,” she said.
“And he followed those qualities. My brother is a kind, loyal man, very dedicated, and committed to everything he does. He was a good Christian, a good servant leader of God. He did his best in the Christian life and life in general.”
Vice CDF Liutenant Charles Kahariri has assured the family that the army will not forsake them.
“Be assured that you are a KDF family and we will not only do it because you are but His Excellency has given these instructions that we must take care of you. He didn’t have to because you are part of us but we will ensure that you are well taken care of,” Kahariri said.
Ogolla died in a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18, alongside nine other military officers making him the first KDF boss to die in office.
A total of 12 officers were onboard the ill-fated helicopter.
