A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti as part of an international security mission has been killed during a confrontation with gang members.
The officer, 26-year-old Police Constable Samuel Kitwai, was on patrol in Artibonite, a region north of Port-au-Prince, when he was shot by a gang member. He was airlifted to a hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Constable Kitwai is the first casualty of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which was sent to Haiti in June to help combat the growing influence of armed gangs. These criminal groups have taken control of much of the capital and rural areas, displacing over a million people and causing widespread violence.
The MSS mission, which includes officers from several countries, has been working alongside Haiti’s police force to restore order. However, the gangs remain heavily armed, with weapons illegally smuggled into the country.
Officials have vowed to continue their efforts, with the MSS spokesman describing Kitwai as a “fallen hero” and pledging to pursue the gangs responsible. The Kenyan government also expressed sorrow over the loss.
The mission recently received reinforcements with 200 additional Kenyan officers, but concerns remain about its future funding. While financial support was temporarily frozen, a waiver was later approved to ensure continued backing for the operation.
International officials have expressed condolences to the officer’s family, recognizing the risks taken by those working to restore stability in Haiti.
