A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti was shot and injured on Tuesday during a security operation in Port-au-Prince.
The officer was shot in Belot and taken to Aspen Hospital, where he is in stable condition.
Mission spokesman Jack Ombaka stated, “He is in stable condition, and we are pursuing the gang behind the shooting.”
However, he did not disclose further details about the officer’s injuries.
Haiti Shooting Incidents of Kenyan Officers
This is the second time a Kenyan officer has been shot during the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
The first incident occurred on February 23, when Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was shot in the head and killed while pursuing a gang.
Kaetuai will be laid to rest on March 19 in his rural home in Kajiado. His burial will be attended by senior police officers and political leaders.
An autopsy confirmed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
The Kenyan government deployed 800 police officers to Haiti as part of the MSS mission to help combat gang violence.
IG Douglas Kanja visited Kaetuai’s family in Kajiado to offer condolences. He described Kaetuai as a hero who died defending global peace.
Haiti has been struggling with extreme gang violence, with over 5,600 people killed in gang-related incidents last year alone. Many citizens have been displaced, and law and order in Port-au-Prince has nearly collapsed. The country also faces a food security crisis and a breakdown in healthcare services.
The MSS mission aims to restore stability in Haiti. A total of 2,500 personnel are expected to be deployed, with additional support from the Bahamas, Guatemala, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad.
Kenya has assured that the well-being of its deployed officers remains a top priority, with ongoing communication and support for their safety.
By Vivian K.