The National Police Service (NPS) has confirmed that the family of a Kenyan police officer killed in Haiti has been notified.
In a statement, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga expressed condolences to the officer’s family and assured them of full support.
The officer, whose name has not yet been released, succumbed to gunshot wounds at Aspen Level 2 Hospital in Haiti after being airlifted there for treatment. He was part of a patrol team in Seguin, Pont-Sonde, Port-au-Prince.
NPS commended Kenyan officers in Haiti for their commitment to the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS).
Force Commander Godfrey Otunge confirmed that this was the first casualty among Kenyan officers since their deployment on June 25, 2024. Kenya has deployed about 800 of the 1,000 officers pledged for the mission.
Over the past week, Kenyan officers have been carrying out operations in Artibonite, neutralizing several criminal gangs. Responding to residents’ calls for action in Seguin, officers engaged in a security operation where the fallen officer lost his life. His colleagues retaliated, neutralizing the gang member responsible.
Otunge thanked the El Salvador Casualty Evacuation (CASEVAC) team for their swift response and the hospital staff who attempted to save the officer.
Kenya is part of a UN-backed international force of 2,500 officers deployed to stabilize Haiti. However, concerns remain about the long-term sustainability of the mission if security forces do not maintain a continuous presence in cleared areas.