(Africanews) – A Kenyan police officer deployed to Haiti as part of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission was killed on Tuesday in an attack by suspected gang members, marking another setback for the force battling gang violence in the Caribbean nation.
Attack on MSS Forces
The officer, Bénédict Kabiru, was part of a team dispatched to recover a Haitian police vehicle that had become stuck in a ditch, believed to have been deliberately dug by gangs. During the recovery operation, MSS forces were attacked, leading to Kabiru’s death.
Initially reported missing, the MSS later confirmed his death. Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council praised Kabiru’s “ultimate sacrifice” in the fight to restore security.
Growing Risks and Opposition in Kenya
Kabiru is the second Kenyan officer killed since MSS forces began deploying in June 2023. The mission has faced widespread opposition in Kenya, with growing calls for the government to withdraw the troops due to the rising dangers they face.
Despite the risks, President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the mission, emphasizing the country’s role in helping restore order in Haiti.
