Kenyan Police Officer Missing After Gang Ambush in Haiti

A Kenyan police officer has gone missing after an ambush by gangs in Haiti while assisting the Haitian national police. Specialized search teams have been deployed amidst concerns for the officer’s safety. This incident follows a previous attack that resulted in the death of another Kenyan officer, underscoring the challenges of restoring order in Haiti, where gang violence is rampant.

A Kenyan police officer, who was part of an international security force in Haiti, has gone missing following an ambush by gang members. The attack occurred while the officer and his team were assisting a vehicle from the Haitian national police that had become stuck in a ditch. According to a mission statement, gang members ambushed the rescue team as they worked to resolve the situation.

The incident took place during a patrol operation in the town of Pont-Sondé, as confirmed by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to Haiti. In response to the ambush, specialized search teams have been deployed to locate the missing officer. Local media has suggested that the officer may have been killed, although this information has yet to be substantiated.

This event marks another instance of violence against Kenyan officers in Haiti. Recently, a 26-year-old police constable was fatally shot while on duty in Ségur-Savien, resulting in the first casualty for the Kenyan contingent. The deceased officer, Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, was repatriated and buried earlier this month.

Kenya has sent approximately 600 police officers to Haiti under the MSS mission, which began in June of last year. This deployment aims to combat growing gang violence, which has seen gangs take control of significant parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as affecting rural areas. In 2024 alone, over 5,500 people were reported killed in gang-related violence, forcing more than a million individuals to flee their homes.

The disappearance of the Kenyan police officer in Haiti highlights the ongoing dangers faced by international security forces in the region. As gang violence escalates, with thousands of casualties and a significant number of displaced individuals, the challenges in restoring order remain substantial. The international community must remain vigilant and responsive to the security needs in Haiti.

Original Source: www.bbc.com