A Kenyan police officer deployed under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has gone missing following a gang ambush, raising further concerns about the safety of the Kenyan contingent in the troubled Caribbean nation.
The incident occurred in Pont-Sondé, approximately 92 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince, when MSS forces responded to a distress call from the Haitian National Police (HNP). Reports indicate that an armored vehicle had become immobilized in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by gangs. As efforts to recover the vehicle commenced, armed assailants launched a coordinated attack, leading to the disappearance of the officer.
Specialized teams have been deployed to locate the missing officer, though unverified reports from Haitian media suggest that the officer may have been killed. The Kenya National Police Service has acknowledged the situation but has yet to confirm the officer’s fate.
This latest incident follows the fatal shooting of Police Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai in February, marking the second attack on Kenyan officers since their deployment in June 2024. With gang violence gripping Haiti and over 5,500 lives lost in 2024 alone, the Kenyan-led mission has faced increasing risks in its efforts to restore order.
The mission, which has seen the deployment of at least 800 Kenyan officers, continues despite growing calls from concerned Kenyans for their withdrawal. Meanwhile, MSS command remains steadfast in its commitment to stabilizing Haiti, even as questions linger over the long-term feasibility of the intervention.
