Kenyan Police Officer Killed While Fighting Gangs in Haiti

A Kenyan police officer was fatally shot in Haiti during an operation against violent gangs. The incident occurred in the Artibonite region while responding to local residents’ pleas for help. Despite being airlifted for treatment, the officer later died from his injuries, marking a significant loss in efforts to control gang violence in Haiti.

A Kenyan police officer dispatched to Haiti to assist in curbing violent gangs was tragically killed during a confrontation. This incident took place in the Artibonite region, where the officer and fellow Kenyan police were undertaking an operation in response to local residents’ requests for assistance in an area known as Pont-Sonde. Kenyan mission authorities confirmed that the officer suffered grave injuries and was subsequently airlifted, but ultimately succumbed to his wounds according to Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Kenyan forces in Haiti.

Following the shooting, the officers actively pursued the gang members involved in the assault. Mission official Jack Ombaka expressed gratitude towards the local hospital staff and Salvadoran forces for their assistance following the incident. Ombaka remarked, “This is the price our courageous officer paid — he was killed while fighting for the people of Haiti. We salute our fallen hero.”

Despite limited information being released, it is known that the Gran Grif gang holds sway over the affected region. The death of the Kenyan officer represents a significant setback in the ongoing efforts to rein in the violent gangs that have disrupted Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Kenya has committed to supporting Haiti’s weak law enforcement by deploying hundreds of officers, having recently sent an additional 200 to assist over 600 already present there, alongside forces from other nations, including Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador.

The untimely death of a Kenyan police officer in Haiti highlights the ongoing violence posed by gangs in the region and the challenges faced by international forces attempting to restore order. This incident underscores both the risks involved for security personnel and the international commitment to aid Haiti in its law enforcement efforts, despite increasing dangers that complicate the mission.

Original Source: apnews.com