Kenyan Officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai’s Body Returned for Burial After Haiti Shooting
Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, a Kenyan police officer who died in Haiti, has been returned to Nairobi for burial. He was the first Kenyan casualty in the U.N.-backed mission initiated in June. Kenya’s police chief stressed the officer’s death as a significant loss and disputed concerns over officer preparedness. Calls for increased U.N. support and personnel have arisen due to ongoing violence in Haiti.
The body of Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, a Kenyan police officer who perished while serving in Haiti’s U.N.-backed mission against gang violence, has been returned to Nairobi for burial. He was fatally shot on February 23 by gangs in western Haiti, marking him as the first Kenyan casualty in a mission that has been operational since June of the previous year. The funeral arrangements have yet to be confirmed.
In the ongoing multinational mission, approximately 800 Kenyan police officers are collaborating with soldiers from various countries, including Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador, while also supporting Haiti’s National Police. Recently, Kenya’s police inspector general, Douglas Kanja, referred to the officer’s death as a “great loss” and addressed concerns regarding the Kenyan officers’ preparedness for such a challenge.
Inspector General Kanja emphasized that the safety and well-being of the officers are Kenya’s foremost concern, asserting that they are adequately trained for their assignments. Additionally, it has been noted that Haiti and the United States have pointed out the lack of personnel and resources within the current mission, advocating for a U.N. peacekeeping force to take over.
Last month, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres indicated plans to seek U.N. funding for the logistical and structural expenses necessary for the multinational force. Reports from the U.N. indicate that gang violence in Haiti led to over 5,600 fatalities last year and has resulted in the displacement of more than 1 million Haitians.
In summary, the return of Kenyan officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai’s body to Nairobi underscores the perils faced by personnel in Haiti’s multinational mission against gang violence. Concerns about adequate resources and training persist, prompting calls for enhanced support from the U.N. and ongoing discussions about the effectiveness of current operations amidst widespread violence in Haiti.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
