A Kenyan police officer deployed to Haiti as part of an international security force has been killed after an attack by suspected gang members, according to Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council (CPT).
The officer, identified as Benedict Kabiru, had been reported missing before confirmation of his death. In a statement, the CPT hailed Kabiru as a “valiant policeman” who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against insecurity in Haiti.
The incident occurred during a patrol in the town of Pont-Sondé on Tuesday, part of the ongoing Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission aimed at tackling gang violence in the country. Kenyan authorities have confirmed the officer’s disappearance but have yet to comment further on the circumstances surrounding his death. There has been growing opposition in Kenya over the deployment of officers to Haiti, with many urging the government to recall them due to the risks involved. Despite this, President William Ruto and US officials have reaffirmed their commitment to the mission, which is largely funded by the United States.
This is the second fatality among the 800 Kenyan officers deployed to Haiti as part of the mission. Last month, police constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was also killed during an operation against the gangs. The escalating violence in Haiti, where criminal groups control much of the capital and rural areas, has led to significant loss of life and displacement, with over 5,500 people killed in gang-related violence in 2024 alone. The CPT has vowed to bring those responsible for Kabiru’s death to justice as part of ongoing efforts to restore stability and security in the country.