A Kenyan police officer, Constable Samuel Kitwai, was killed while serving with the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. His death marks the first casualty of the mission, which was initiated to address rampant gang violence in the region. The incident raises concerns about the security conditions faced by the operational forces.
A Kenyan police officer serving with the multinational security force in Haiti has been killed in a confrontation with gang members. The deceased, Police Constable Samuel Kitwai, aged 26, is the first casualty of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), which has been deployed since June of the previous year to restore order in Haiti amid escalating gang violence.
Gang-related violence has profoundly affected Haiti, leading to over 5,500 fatalities in 2024 alone, and resulting in more than a million people displaced from their homes. The commanding officer of the MSS, General Godfrey Otunge, reported that Constable Kitwai was shot in the Artibonite region, north of Port-au-Prince, and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital where he later died.
The MSS spokesperson, Jack Ombaka, honored Constable Kitwai as a “fallen hero,” stating he died while fighting for the Haitian people. In a sad note, Kenya’s foreign ministry expressed its heartbreak over the loss of the officer. Ombaka indicated that the ongoing operations are aimed at relentlessly pursuing the gangs responsible for these violent acts.
Despite a recent increase in personnel, the MSS remains at a disadvantage against the gangs, which have amassed superior weaponry often smuggled from the United States. The fate of the MSS has been complicated by recent decisions regarding U.S. foreign aid, although Secretary of State Marco Rubio has approved necessary waivers for support to both the MSS and Haiti’s National Police.
The U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Marc Dillard, extended condolences to the family of Constable Kitwai and acknowledged the bravery of Kenyan police in their efforts to stabilize Haiti and enhance global security. This incident highlights the tumultuous security situation in Haiti and the significant risks faced by international peacekeeping forces.
The tragic death of Constable Samuel Kitwai underscores the perilous environment that international security forces face in Haiti as they combat rampant gang violence. The Kenyan-led MSS continues its mission to restore order, despite challenges including armed gangs and uncertainties around funding. The international community, notably the United States, acknowledges the sacrifices of officers like Kitwai in their contributions to global safety and stability.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
