A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti as part of the international mission to combat rampant gang violence has been killed following an ambush by suspected gang members.
The fallen officer, Benedict Kabiru, had been reported missing during a patrol in the gang-plagued town of Pont-Sondé. On Wednesday, Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council confirmed his death, describing him as a “valiant policeman” who made “the ultimate sacrifice” to help secure a better future for the Caribbean nation.
His grieving mother, speaking to local press, said, “I am a single mother. He was my only hope.”
Growing Scrutiny Over Kenya’s Role in Haiti
Kabiru is the second Kenyan officer to die since the deployment began in June 2024. Just last month, 26-year-old Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was fatally shot during an operation in Ségur-Savien. He was laid to rest in his hometown following a military sendoff.
With 800 Kenyan officers currently deployed under the UN-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, criticism continues to mount in Kenya over the government’s decision to send law enforcement into one of the world’s most violent hotspots.
Many Kenyans have called for an immediate withdrawal, fearing for the safety of the officers amid escalating gang warfare and weak local infrastructure.
Diplomatic Support Despite Domestic Backlash
Despite public outcry, President William Ruto has doubled down on his commitment to the mission. In a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marc Rubio on Tuesday night, the two leaders reaffirmed their partnership in stabilizing Haiti.
The U.S., a major financial backer of the Kenya-led mission, has praised Kenya’s leadership as critical to restoring order in a country where armed gangs have seized most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and beyond.
More than 5,500 people were killed in gang-related violence in Haiti in 2024 alone. Over a million residents have been forced to flee their homes.
Justice Promised, but Uncertainty Remains
Haiti’s transitional government condemned the ambush, vowing to bring those responsible to justice. “These are either armed criminals or their accomplices,” the CPT said in a statement. Authorities pledged to continue working with international partners to “build a Haiti where justice and security prevail.”
However, critics warn that the ongoing loss of foreign officers may undermine morale and deter global support for continued intervention.
