Autopsy Identifies Cause of Death for Kenyan Officer Samuel…

An autopsy revealed that Samuel Kaetuai, a 26-year-old Kenyan police officer killed in Haiti, died from a single gunshot wound. His body was returned to Kenya after a two-week wait, with family and police officers present at his arrival. Kaetuai was the first casualty during the Kenyan peacekeeping mission in Haiti, which aims to combat violent gangs affecting the country.

An autopsy performed on Samuel Kaetuai, a 26-year-old Kenyan police officer killed in Haiti, confirmed his death resulted from a single gunshot wound. This postmortem examination took place at the Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi on March 11, revealing that the officer died from bleeding caused by a gunshot that penetrated his head.

Following a two-week wait, Kaetuai’s body was repatriated to Kenya on Monday evening, providing relief to his family members who had been anxiously awaiting the return of their loved one. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), he was received by a group of officers including Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, alongside his wife and father, Salaash Kaetuai.

While the precise date for Kaetuai’s burial remains undetermined, his body will be preserved at Chiromo mortuary until arrangements are finalized. Kaetuai was fatally shot two weeks prior during a police operation in the Western Artibonite region, located 92 kilometers north of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as part of efforts to combat Caribbean gangs.

Commander Godfrey Otunge of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission reported that following the shooting, Kaetuai was swiftly airlifted to a hospital in Haiti, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries. In a gesture of support, Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, and other senior police officials visited Kaetuai’s family in Kajiado County to express their condolences.

Since its inception in June 2024, the MSS mission, which includes Kenyan forces, has aimed to stabilize Haiti amid rampant gang violence. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a lack of sufficient equipment, Kaetuai tragically became the first casualty among the Kenyan police contingent assigned to this mission.

The tragic death of Police Officer Samuel Kaetuai highlights the dangers faced by those serving in international peacekeeping missions, particularly in regions plagued by violence. His body has been repatriated to Kenya, and his family is preparing for his burial. The ongoing efforts of the Kenyan MSS mission in Haiti underscore the complex challenges of restoring stability amidst widespread gang violence.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke