The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, during a rescue operation in the Pont-Sonde area, Artibonite Department. The officers were attempting to assist Haitian police who had become trapped in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by gangs.
Details of the Incident:
- The missing officer was part of a patrol along the Carrefour Paye-Savien Main Supply Route when the attack occurred.
- Two mine-resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles were dispatched to assist but also encountered issues, leaving the team vulnerable to the ambush.
- Local media in Haiti reported that the officer may have been killed, with videos circulating on social media showing a lifeless man in a Kenyan uniform.
Context of the Mission:
- The Kenya-led mission was launched in 2024 to combat gang violence in Haiti, with Kenya committing to send 1,000 officers. Currently, 800 are deployed.
- Gang violence has displaced over one million people in Haiti, with gangs controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince.
- The mission has faced challenges, including a lack of personnel and funding issues after the U.S. froze some financial assistance.
Previous Casualty:
- Another Kenyan officer, Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, was killed by gangs in February 2025 and was buried in Kenya last week.
Search Efforts:
- Specialized teams have been deployed to locate the missing officer, but his whereabouts remain unknown.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the multinational mission in Haiti, where gang violence continues to destabilize the region.