Kenyan Police Officer Injured in Gang Attack During Haiti Mission

A Kenyan police officer was shot and injured while conducting a security operation in Haiti on March 18, 2025. This incident follows the death of Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who was killed by gangs on February 23, 2025. Kenya has deployed around 800 police officers in support of Haiti’s national police amid ongoing gang violence.

On March 18, 2025, a Kenyan police officer participating in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti was shot during a security operation in Port-au-Prince. The incident occurred in Kenscoff, located within the Belot area, where the officer was targeted by criminal gangs. Following the shooting, he was swiftly evacuated to ASPEN Level 2 Hospital, where he remains stable and is currently receiving medical treatment.

Jack Ombaka, the spokesman for the mission, confirmed the officer’s stable condition while stating efforts are underway to apprehend the gang responsible for the attack. Notably, this incident marks the second shooting incident involving a Kenyan officer in Haiti.

Just weeks prior, on February 23, 2025, Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was tragically killed by gang fire in the western Segur-Savien region, making him the first Kenyan officer to die during the ongoing mission that commenced in June 2024. An autopsy revealed that he sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

As part of efforts to combat gang violence in Haiti, Kenya has deployed approximately 800 police officers under the United Nations-backed MSS mission. Additionally, other nations, including Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador, have contributed troops to assist Haiti’s national police in the fight against criminal gangs.

In a gesture of support, Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, visited the family and friends of Constable Kaetuai in Naserian Village, Kajiado East Sub-County, Kajiado County, offering condolences as they mourned his passing.

The recent shooting of a Kenyan police officer in Haiti underscores the ongoing dangers faced by international forces involved in security operations. The loss of Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai emphasizes the severe risks associated with the mission, which aims to restore stability amid rampant gang violence. Efforts to support the impacted officers and their families remain ongoing, highlighting the commitment of the Kenyan police force and its allies to ensure safety in Haiti.

Original Source: www.tv47.digital