Francis Ogolla aka Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla is a Kenyan military officer who was appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces on May 11, 2022. Prior to his appointment as CDF, he served as the Vice Chief of Defence Forces, a position he assumed on July 23, 2021. Lt Gen Ogolla has served in the Kenya Defence Forces since April 1984 when he joined as a cadet officer.
His previous postings include Deputy Army Commander and Commander of the Kenya Air Force. He is a graduate of the National Defence College, Kenya, and the French Joint Defence College. Additionally, he has attended several military courses within and outside Kenya, including the Peace Support Operations Course in Egypt, the Command and General Staff College in the United States, and the Joint Military Operations Course in South Africa.
In this article, we will be discussing the life, career, and achievements of Francis Ogolla, who is the current Chief of Defence Forces in Kenya. He is a highly decorated officer who has served in various capacities in the Kenyan military.
Who is the Chief of Defence Forces, Francis Ogolla?
Lieutenant General Francis Ogolla has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) of Kenya, succeeding General Robert Kibochi. Ogolla was promoted from Lieutenant General to General and appointed as the CDF by President William Ruto.

He was sworn in as the new CDF in a ceremony at State House, Nairobi on April 29, 2023, along with Vice Chief of Defence Forces Lt. Gen Jonah Maina Mwangi. Prior to his appointment, Ogolla had served as the Vice Chief of Defence Forces. Ogolla joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 1984 and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on May 6, 1985.
Early Life, Age & Biography
Francis Ogolla was born in Kenya in 1966. He was born and raised in Nyanza province, Kenya. As of 2023, Francis is around 57 years old. Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla is a high-ranking officer in the Kenya Defence Forces who was appointed as Vice Chief of the Defence Forces on July 23, 2021.
Ogolla joined the Kenya Defence Forces on April 24, 1984, and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on May 6, 1985, before being posted to the Kenya Air Force. His rise to the top has been steady, and he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in 2021.

As Vice Chief of the Defence Forces, Ogolla is expected to play a critical role in the fight against terrorism in Kenya, working closely with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of Kenyans. His line boss is now General Robert Kariuki Kibochi, who is the Chief of Defence Forces. Ogolla’s appointment followed changes implemented by the defense council and announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Education
Ogolla attended various primary and secondary schools in Kenya before joining the Kenya Defence Forces. He later attended various military courses and training programs in Kenya and abroad. He also attended Maranda High School and National Defence College.
Wiki | Biodata
Real Name | Francis Omondi Ogolla |
Full name | Francis Ogolla |
Birthday | 1966 |
Age | 57 |
Birthplace | Nyanza province, Kenya |
Zodiac | Not available |
Education | Military training and courses |
Alma mater | Maranda High School National Defence College |
Nationality | Kenyan |
Religion | Not available |
Net worth | $1-2 million (approx.) |
Parents | Names Not Known |
Siblings | Will Update |
Marital status | Married |
Wife | Aileen |
Children | Will Update |
Social Media | Instagram |
Dreshare | Homepage |
Ethnicity | Black |
Height | 5 feet 8 inches (approx.) |
Weight | 75 kilograms (approx.) |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye color | Black |
Military Career
Francis Ogolla joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 1985 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He has since risen through the ranks to become the Chief of Defence Forces. During his military career, he has served in various capacities, including as a platoon commander, company commander, battalion commander, brigade commander, and division commander. He has also served in various peacekeeping missions, including in Sudan and Somalia.

Professional Life
He was born in Nyakach, Kisumu County, Kenya, and joined the Kenyan military in 1985 as a cadet officer. Ogolla has had a distinguished career in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), having served in various positions, including as the Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF), Commander of the Kenya Air Force, and other military roles. He has also trained as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force and is a competent instructor.

Achievements and Awards
Francis Ogolla has received numerous awards and recognition for his service in the military. He has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Order, the Order of the Golden Warrior, and the Order of the Burning Spear. He has also received the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) medal and the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) medal.

Family: Parents & Siblings
He grew up in a family that had a strong military background, with both his father and grandfather having served in the military. He was born and raised in Nyanza province, Kenya.
Personal Life, Wife & Kids
Francis Ogolla is married and has children. He is known for his love of sports, especially rugby, and has been actively involved in promoting sports in the military. Lieutenant General Francis Ogolla is the Chief of Defence Forces of Kenya. There is limited information available about his personal life, but it is known that he is married to a woman named Aileen.

Net Worth
The net worth of Francis Ogolla is not publicly known, as military officers’ wealth is generally not disclosed to the public. General Francis Ogolla is a Kenyan army officer who was promoted to the rank of General and appointed as the Chief of Defence Forces in Kenya by President William Ruto on April 28, 2023. However, his estimated net worth is around $1-2 million (approx.).
Interesting Facts About Francis Ogolla
- Francis Ogolla was born in Nyakach, Kisumu County, Kenya.
- He joined the Kenyan military in 1985 as a cadet officer.
- Ogolla has been in the military for 37 years, starting from April 24, 1984.
- He was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on May 6, 1985, and posted to Kenya Air Force.
- He trained as a fighter pilot as well as an instructor pilot with USAF.
- He rose through the ranks to become a Major General and was appointed the Commander of Kenya Air Force on July 15, 2018.
- Ogolla was appointed Vice Chief of Defence Forces (VCDF) in July 2021.
- He is a passionate golfer.
- Ogolla is an avid reader.

- Ogolla’s rise to the top has been steady but to those with an understanding of military politics, forthcoming.
- The only rank above Francis in the military is that of General, which can only be occupied by one military officer at a given time.
- Ogolla has received several honors and awards throughout his career, including the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) and the Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart (EGH).
- In his new role as the Chief of Defence Forces, Ogolla has vowed to prioritize the welfare of the Kenyan soldiers.
- Ogolla’s appointment as the new CDF was celebrated by many Kenyans, who expressed their confidence in his ability to lead the military.
- Ogolla’s leadership will be crucial in tackling the security challenges facing Kenya, including terrorism, banditry, and cybercrime.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Francis Ogolla is a highly decorated military officer who has served his country with distinction. He has risen through the ranks to become the Chief of Defence Forces and has received numerous awards and recognition for his service. He is also known for his love of sports and has been actively involved in promoting sports in the military.
FAQs
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Who is Francis Ogolla?
Ogolla is the current Chief of Defence Forces in Kenya.
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When was Francis Ogolla born?
Francis was born in 1966.
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What awards has Francis Ogolla received?
Ogolla has received the Distinguished Conduct Order, the Order of the Golden Warrior, and the Order of the Burning Spear, among other awards.
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Is Francis Ogolla married?
Yes, Francis Ogolla is married and has children.
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What is the net worth of Francis Ogolla?
$1-2 million (approx.)
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