Kenyan Police Officer Missing After Gang Ambush in Haiti

A Kenyan police officer has gone missing in Haiti after an ambush by gangs during a rescue operation. This incident occurred in Pont-Sondé while assisting the Haitian national police. Previous attacks have also targeted Kenyan officers, emphasizing the ongoing violence in Haiti, where gangs control significant areas.

A Kenyan police officer assigned to Haiti as part of an international security force has been reported missing following an ambush by suspected gang members. The attack occurred while the officer’s unit was assisting the Haitian national police with a vehicle that had become stuck in a ditch. As rescue teams were attempting to resolve this situation, gang members ambushed them, causing chaos during the operation.

In response to the incident, specialized search teams have been dispatched to locate the missing officer, who was part of a patrol in the town of Pont-Sondé on Tuesday. Local media in Haiti speculated that the missing officer might have been killed, although this information has yet to be confirmed.

This incident marks another attack against Kenyan officers in Haiti, as another officer was fatally injured during an operation in Ségur-Savien last month. That officer, 26-year-old Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, was the first casualty within the Kenyan contingent, with his body returned home for burial earlier this month.

As part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, Kenya has sent at least 600 police officers to aid in combating gang violence in Haiti. This mission was initiated in June of the previous year, aiming to restore order in a country where gangs dominate large areas, including nearly the entire capital, Port-au-Prince. In the year 2024 alone, over 5,500 individuals have lost their lives to gang-related violence in Haiti, leading more than a million people to flee their homes.

The situation in Haiti remains precarious, especially with the increasing violence from gangs. The recent ambush involving a Kenyan police officer highlights the ongoing threats faced by international security forces in the country. Kenya’s commitment to deploying personnel is an endeavor to regain stability, but the challenges remain substantial as evidenced by recent casualties and the high levels of violence.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk