News

Gen Ogolla’s daughter: People never knew we were related until I posted his demise

Sunday, April 21st, 2024 13:14 | By
Lorna Ogolla, daughter of General Ogolla. PHOTO/LinkedIn
Lorna Ogolla, daughter of General Ogolla. PHOTO/LinkedIn

General Francis Ogolla's daughter, Lorna, revealed that many people in her circles did not know that they were related to the late Chief of Defence Forces.

Lorna who currently serves as the head of Operational Excellence at DC Equipment Supply Chain in Google's San Francisco Bay Area, shared the news of her father's death on LinkedIn.

Lorna Ogolla's admiration

She stated that her father disliked social media and preferred to work quietly. Lorna expressed deep admiration for her father's work ethic and dedication.

General Francis Ogolla when he presided over the final parade rehearsals for Madaraka Day celebrations held in Embu on May 31, 2023. PHOTO/Print
General Francis Ogolla when he presided over the final parade rehearsals for Madaraka Day celebrations held in Embu on May 31, 2023. PHOTO/Print

"I posted about my father for the first time when we received confirmation of his passing from Joel," Lorna said during the final memorial service.

"My dad wasn’t a fan of social media or the spotlight; he preferred working quietly without fanfare. Few people knew that we were related, but I deeply admired his work ethic and dedication to his career," he stated.

She explained that her father always gave 100 percent and approached his work with a religious-like commitment.

"Many people were curious about how his daughter managed to do so many things, but the truth is, he set an extraordinary example. He gave everything 100 percent, and we saw it firsthand. He read the Bible from cover to cover. Everything he did, he did it as if he were working for God," she added.

Lorna also narrated how her father decided to return to the University of Nairobi to pursue a degree in Political science, achieving first-class honors despite a busy schedule.

"When he returned to university, he was in classes with people my age. I don't know if I would have had the humility to sit among Gen Zs, but he embraced it. This was during a time when he was in a parole program, based in Laikipia, commuting between Nanyuki and Nairobi for classes and exams, while also handling his responsibilities during Operation Linda Nchi. Despite all these demands, he excelled and earned first-class honors."

General Ogolla's exams

In 2005, General Ogolla was posted to France and had just six months to learn French from scratch. Despite the pressure, he didn't inform his superiors that he didn't know French.

During this time, he swallowed a fish bone that lodged in his intestines, leading to two months in the hospital.

Members of the Kenya Defence Forces carry the casket bearing the body of CDF General Ogolla at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata. PHOTO/(@HonAdenDuale)/X
Members of the Kenya Defence Forces carry the casket bearing the body of CDF General Ogolla at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Lang'ata. PHOTO/(@HonAdenDuale)/X

"In 2005, he was posted to France and had just six months to learn French from scratch. Failure was not an option for him, so he didn't even mention to his superiors that he didn't know French. During this time, he swallowed a fish bone that lodged in his intestines, leading to two months in the hospital. When I visited him, he was as thin as I was, but even then, he continued to work hard to complete his French studies," he added.

More on News


ADVERTISEMENT