Joel Omondi Rabuku, the son of the late Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Francis Ogolla, called out bloggers and accused them of breaking the news so quickly that his father and nine others were killed in a helicopter crash on Thursday, April 18....CONTINUE READING
Speaking during the late CDF’s burial ceremony in Ng’iya, Siaya County on Sunday, April 21, Rabuku accused the bloggers, whom he did not reveal by name, of mishandling the news regarding the crash hours before Ogolla’s death was confirmed by President William Ruto in his address to the nation.
According to him, how they circulated the pictures on social media moments after the chopper accident occurred was insensitive.
“First of all those bloggers always posting those things, I want to say when my mother called and told me that your father had gone down in a helicopter crash, there were very useless bloggers who were so quick to post pictures. I have been told that my father has gone down and 10 minutes later, I am seeing a helicopter burning.
What does that mean, of course, he is dead,” he addressed. “People are so insensitive. So you broke the News, have you received an EGH for breaking the news that the general is dead? Let us be sensitive.”
Rabuku reprimanded the bloggers for their conduct when news of the crash first broke but appreciated an individual whom he also did not name for finally revealing the news to him about his father’s death and encouraging him through this difficult time.
“Tell those bloggers to stop those games, I’d mention them by name but that behaviour is unacceptable, but I really appreciate…I won’t mention the person who finally told me that my father has rested and really encouraged me at that moment and told me that now is the time to be strong,” he added.
When news of the helicopter crash broke, bloggers spread unconfirmed reports that General Ogolla was among those involved in the crash and rumours circulated regarding his death, later confirmed by the President.
Most media houses in Kenya, Viral Tea included, did not rush to break the news of Ogolla’s death but waited for the President’s address before announcing it to the public, serving the importance of upholding media ethics as a number one priority.
In the same vein, Rabuku addressed his father’s relationship with President Ruto contrary to social media claims that they were at loggerheads.
“Today, I want to talk about the son of Alego. Your Excellency, until yesterday, people were speculating (on why the President appointed him). I want to clear the air with the conversations I had with my father about his time with the President,” Rabuku stated.
“He did not really divulge any national security issues. The President did not have to appoint him and initially, he saw his competencies and decided this is the man for the job. Quickly, they became friends and formed a serious chemistry which he would tell me about. It is not the President alone but the deputy president as well.”
“I want to clear the air about my father’s time with the President. I know President Ruto’s tears yesterday were genuine,” he added.
“People should stop rumours. These guys were friends at State House. My father told me he loved the President and they were good friends..<<CONTINUE READING>>
