Autopsy Confirms Cause of Death for Kenyan Police Officer in Haiti
An autopsy on Kenyan police officer Samuel Kaetuai confirmed he died from a single gunshot wound in Haiti. His body was repatriated to Kenya after a two-week wait, with family and police officials present. The officer’s death marks the first casualty for the Kenyan mission in Haiti, which has faced significant challenges.
An autopsy performed on the body of Samuel Kaetuai, a 26-year-old Kenyan police officer who was fatally shot in Haiti, determined the cause of death to be a single gunshot wound. The postmortem examination took place at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi on March 11, revealing that the gunshot wound caused significant bleeding, ultimately leading to his death.
Kaetuai’s body was repatriated to Kenya on Monday evening after a two-week wait, providing much-needed relief to his family. His arrival at Nairobi was attended by a contingent of police officers and family members, including Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, his wife, and his father, Salaash Kaetuai.
The exact date of Kaetuai’s burial is still pending as his body remains preserved at Chiromo mortuary while burial arrangements are finalized. The officer tragically lost his life two weeks prior during a police operation targeting Caribbean gangs in the Western Artibonite region, situated 92 kilometers from Port-au-Prince.
Following the incident on February 24, Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission Commander Godfrey Otunge reported that Kaetuai was airlifted to a Haitian hospital but did not survive. Additionally, Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, along with several senior officials, visited Kaetuai’s family to express condolences after the incident.
The Kenyan-led MSS mission has been active in Haiti since June 2024, addressing the issue of violent gangs undermining security in the country. This mission has faced numerous challenges, including inadequate resources, and Kaetuai represents the first casualty among the Kenyan forces involved in this operation.
In summary, the tragic death of Officer Samuel Kaetuai has highlighted the dangers faced by police officers on peacekeeping missions. His cause of death was confirmed as a gunshot wound following an autopsy. The community has shown strong support for his family in this challenging time, while the Kenyan forces continue their mission in Haiti amidst various obstacles. Kaetuai’s passing marks a significant loss for the Kenyan contingent in the operation.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
