Kenya's Defense Chief General Francis Omondi Ogolla and 9 top military officers were killed in a helicopter crash.
Several media outlets including BBC and AFP reported this news around 11:00 PM Bangladesh time on Thursday (April 18) citing the country's police source.
A senior Kenyan police officer told AFP the helicopter caught fire shortly after takeoff, killing nine senior commanders, including General Ogolla.
According to the BBC report, Kenyan President William Ruto called an emergency meeting of the country's Security Council after the military helicopter crashed. His spokesperson confirmed the matter.
According to local media, all those on the helicopter were senior military officers. Among them was General Francis Ogolla, Chief Military Adviser to the President. However, the BBC could not verify the authenticity of these reports.
According to reports, the helicopter came down in Kenya's Rift Valley and burst into flames. Rescue teams have been sent to the accident site.
Kenyan President William Ruto said an investigation team has been sent to the scene to investigate the cause of the helicopter crash.
"Our motherland has lost one of its most valiant generals," he said. General Ogolla's death is an irreparable loss to us.
Ogolla joined the Kenya Defense Forces in 1984. He was trained as a fighter pilot with the United States Air Force and as an instructor pilot with the Kenya Air Force (KAF). Ogolla was the Chief of the Kenyan Air Force before becoming the Deputy Military Chief. Last year, the country's president promoted him to become the army chief.