Kenyan Officer Killed in Haiti Gang Violence During Security Operation

A Kenyan police officer, Constable Samuel Kitwai, was killed while confronting gangs in Haiti. He is the first casualty of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission, sent to restore order in a country experiencing severe gang violence that has displaced over a million people. The incident emphasizes the challenges faced by the multinational force in Haiti.

A Kenyan police officer serving with the multinational security force in Haiti was tragically killed during a clash with gang members. Police Constable Samuel Kitwai, aged 26, becomes the first casualty of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission (MSS). This force was deployed in June of the previous year to assist in restoring law and order in Haiti, where rampant gang violence has overwhelmed the capital, Port-au-Prince, and has significantly affected rural areas.

In Haiti, more than 5,500 individuals lost their lives to gang-related violence in 2024 alone, resulting in over a million people being displaced from their homes. The commander of the multinational force, General Godfrey Otunge, reported that Constable Kitwai sustained injuries in Artibonite, located north of Port-au-Prince. Despite being airlifted to a hospital for emergency treatment, the officer succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter, and his family has been informed of his passing.

According to Jack Ombaka, the spokesperson for the MSS, Constable Kitwai was a “fallen hero” who was “killed while fighting for the people of Haiti.” The Kenyan foreign ministry expressed its deep sorrow over the officer’s loss. Ombaka indicated that the constable was shot by a gang member during a security operation in Pont-Sondé and assured that the multinational force would continue its efforts against the gangs until they are completely subdued.

The MSS had recently strengthened its numbers with an additional 200 Kenyan police officers; however, they face overwhelming challenges as the gangs are heavily armed with weapons illegally smuggled into the region from the United States. The fate of the multinational force became uncertain after a freeze on US foreign aid funds was imposed; however, a waiver for aid was later approved for the MSS and Haiti’s National Police, though support for transforming the MSS into a UN peacekeeping operation remains unclear.

US Ambassador to Kenya, Marc Dillard, extended condolences to Constable Kitwai’s family, commending the bravery of Kenyan officers working under perilous conditions to enhance global security. This tragic incident underscores the ongoing crisis in Haiti and the imperative need for effective measures to restore safety and stability in the nation.

The article highlights the tragic death of Kenyan Police Constable Samuel Kitwai in Haiti amid increasing gang violence. It reflects on the challenges faced by the Multinational Security Support mission, including the need for additional resources and international support. The incident exemplifies the severe situation in Haiti, where insecurity has led to thousands of casualties and a humanitarian crisis.

Original Source: www.bbc.com