Mutunga was named the convener of the United Political Front (UPF) comprising of United Green Movement (UGM), the Communist Party of Kenya (CPK) and Ukweli Party (UP)/CFM/FILE - Francis Mbatha

Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga has proposed the setting up of a commission of inquiry to probe the chopper crash that killed Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) General Francis Ogolla alongside nine others in Elgeyo Marakwet on Thursday.

The Huey helicopter crashed at 2:20 pm, shortly after takeoff, in an incident that has shocked the nation.

Mutunga said Friday that such a commission should ensure public involvement to dispel any speculations regarding the cause of the crash.

“Given the tragedy that engulfs our country now, a country of rumours and ethnic divisions, it is a good idea to immediately set up a Commission of Inquiry that has robust public participation,” he said.

“An Inquiry that is seen as a cover up is unacceptable.”

While confirming the incident, President Ruto said that the Kenya Defence Forces had dispatched a team of air crash investigators to probe the cause of the tragic air crash.

Ruto said that the Kenya Air Force personnel will lead the investigations.

“The Kenya Air Force has constituted and dispatched an air investigations team, to establish the cause of the air crash,” Ruto said, describing the incident as “a moment of great sadness for myself, as the Commander in Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Kenya Defence Forces fraternity, and the nation at large.”

While describing Ogolla’s last moments, the President said that the CDF, had left Nairobi Thursday morning, to visit troops deployed in the North Rift under Operation Maliza Uhalifu, and to inspect the ongoing school renovation works in five schools. 

President Ruto disclosed that, as part of his working tour, a multi-agency team stationed at Chesitet in Baringo County, had briefed the CDF on the security situation after which he proceeded to the Kainuk Forward Operating Base in Turkana County, where he addressed troops, commending them for their resilience and operational successes.

The CDF and his entourage departed from Kainuk to Chesegon, West Pokot County, where he launched the rehabilitation of Cheptulel Boys High School.

He was departing Chesegon for the Recruits Training School in Uasin Gishu County, where he was scheduled to inspect construction facilities at the institution when the crash happened.

The President identified other KDF personnel who died alongside Ogolla as Brigadier Swale Saidi, Colonel Duncan Keittany, Lieutenant Colonel David Sawe, Major George Benson Magondu, Captain Sora Mohamed, Captain Hillary Litali, Senior Sergeant John Kinyua Mureithi, Sergeant Cliphonce Omondi, and Sergeant Rose Nyawira. By Bruhan Makong, Capital News