Kenyan Police Officer Fatality Highlights Haiti’s Gang Violence Crisis

Kenyan police officer Constable Samuel Kitwai was killed during a confrontation with gangs in Haiti, marking the first casualty of the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS). Over 5,500 people have died in gang-related violence in Haiti in 2024. The MSS continues to face challenges due to heavily armed gangs. U.S. support for the mission remains uncertain following foreign aid freezes.

A Kenyan police officer, 26-year-old Police Constable Samuel Kitwai, has tragically lost his life during a confrontation with gang members while serving with the multinational security mission in Haiti. Constable Kitwai marks the first fatality within the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), which has been deployed since June 2022 to address escalating gang violence in Haiti, primarily in the capital of Port-au-Prince.

The violent environment in Haiti has become increasingly dire, with reports indicating over 5,500 deaths due to gang-related incidents in 2024 alone, prompting more than a million residents to abandon their homes. General Godfrey Otunge, commander of the MSS, confirmed that Kitwai was wounded in the Artibonite region and later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. The officer’s family has been informed of his passing.

Jack Ombaka, a spokesperson for the MSS, referred to Constable Kitwai as a “fallen hero” who was “killed while fighting for the people of Haiti,” while the Kenyan Foreign Ministry expressed profound sadness over his loss. Regrettably, Constable Kitwai was shot by a gang member during an operation conducted in Pont-Sondé, and Ombaka assured that efforts against these gangs would continue relentlessly.

The MSS has been reinforced recently with an additional 200 Kenyan police officers. However, they remain significantly outgunned by increasingly well-armed gangs that illegally acquire advanced weaponry. Recent uncertainties surrounding the support for the MSS arose when the Trump administration enacted a freeze on foreign aid programs, although a waiver was subsequently approved by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio for the mission’s funding.

Ambassador Marc Dillard of the United States extended condolences to Constable Kitwai’s family, acknowledging the courageous contributions of Kenyan police personnel serving in high-risk environments. Notably, the multinational force also includes officers from various countries such as the Bahamas, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Jamaica, further highlighting the extensive international effort involved in addressing Haiti’s challenges.

In summary, the death of Police Constable Samuel Kitwai signifies a poignant loss within the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. As gang violence continues to plague the nation, the efforts of the MSS and the international community remain critical in restoring peace and stability. The commitment displayed by law enforcement agents in these challenging circumstances deserves recognition and support from the global community.

Original Source: www.bbc.com