A Kenyan police officer in Haiti has gone missing after an ambush by gangs while assisting Haitian police. This incident follows a prior casualty among Kenyan officers last month. Kenya has deployed around 600 officers as part of the Multinational Security Support mission to combat escalating gang violence that has led to over 5,500 deaths this year.
A Kenyan police officer deployed to Haiti under an international security force has gone missing following a gang ambush. This incident occurred while the officers were assisting Haitian national police with a vehicle stuck in a ditch. According to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to Haiti, gangs lying in wait attacked the force during their efforts to help.
In response to the attack that occurred during a patrol in Pont-Sondé on Tuesday, specialized teams have been dispatched to locate the missing officer. While some local reports suggest that the officer may have been killed, confirmation of this information remains pending.
This incident marks the second attack on Kenyan police in Haiti; a prior incident last month resulted in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old police constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai during an operation in Ségur-Savien. His remains were repatriated to Kenya for burial this month.
Kenya has contributed approximately 600 police officers to the MSS mission aimed at curtailing gang activities in Haiti. The mission was initiated in June of the previous year to assist in restoring order in a country where gangs have taken control of much of Port-au-Prince and neighboring rural areas. Gang violence in Haiti has tragically claimed the lives of over 5,500 people in 2024, displacing more than one million individuals from their homes.
The situation in Haiti remains dire, with international forces, including Kenyan police, facing significant risks as they attempt to combat gang violence. The disappearance of the Kenyan officer highlights the challenges and dangers in restoring security in the region. With the ongoing violence resulting in substantial casualties and displacements, efforts to stabilize Haiti are critical in the coming months.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
