General Francis Ogolla has been confirmed dead after being involved in a Chopper crash at Kaben Cheptulel on the West Pokot - Elgeyo Marakwet border.
At the same time, several senior military officials are said to be among eight officers who are feared dead after a Kenya Defence Forces chopper crashed.
Ogolla took over as CDF on April 28, 2023.
The chopper is said to have been carrying 12 people including officers of the rank of General when it went down.
Witnesses said it burst into flames on crashing.
There was only one survivor believed to be a photographer, other officers said.
The area was cordoned off soon after the accident.
The officers were surveying the area ahead of the planned deployment of more troops to battle cattle rustlers in the area.
Police initially said five officers had died and three survived.
Also on board were other beuratic officers at the Ministry of Defence.
The Kenya Air Force Huey Helicopter had taken off from a local primary school when it went down and burst into flames.
Ogolla was named the new Chief of Defence Forces in changes in the military, taking over from his predecessor General Robert Kibochi.
Kibochi handed over to Ogolla as CDF after attaining the mandatory exit age of 62.
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