Kenyan Officer Missing in Haiti Gang Ambush Amid Rising Violence

A Kenyan police officer has gone missing after an ambush by gangs in Haiti, where the MSS mission is stationed to combat gang violence. The officer’s disappearance follows a previous fatality among Kenyan forces, revealing the dangers faced by international security personnel in Haiti where gangs control much of Port-au-Prince. Over 5,500 gang-related deaths were reported in 2024 alone, leading to widespread displacement.

A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti as part of an international security force has gone missing following an ambush by suspected gang members. The attack occurred while the team was assisting a vehicle of the Haitian national police that had become stuck. During the rescue operation, gang members who had been lying in wait launched their assault, as stated by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to Haiti.

In the aftermath of the attack, specialized teams have been sent to conduct a search for the missing officer. This incident transpired on Tuesday during a patrol in the town of Pont-Sondé. Local media in Haiti have reported the possibility that the officer may have been killed, though this information remains unverified.

This attack follows previous incidents affecting Kenyan officers in Haiti. Last month, a 26-year-old police constable was killed during an operation in Ségur-Savien, marking the first fatality within the Kenyan contingent. The body of Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was repatriated and buried this month.

Kenya has contributed at least 600 police officers to the MSS mission, which was initiated in June of the previous year to help restore order amidst escalating gang violence. Gangs have effectively taken control over nearly the entire capital, Port-au-Prince, and significant rural areas, making the police mission critical. In 2024 alone, over 5,500 individuals have died due to gang-related violence, and more than one million people have been displaced from their homes.

The disappearance of a Kenyan police officer in Haiti, following a gang ambush, highlights the perilous environment faced by foreign security forces in the country. With a history of violence directed at Kenyan officers, the situation underscores the challenges of restoring order in a nation grappling with rampant gang control. The ongoing mission aims to combat this violence amidst a backdrop of significant human suffering and upheaval.

Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk