Autopsy Reveals Cause of Death for Kenyan Police Officer in Haiti

An autopsy revealed that 26-year-old Kenyan policeman Samuel Kaetuai died from a gunshot wound to the head while on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti. His body returned to Kenya after a lengthy wait, and preparations for his burial are ongoing. Senior police officials expressed their condolences to his family, marking a poignant moment for the Kenyan contingent in Haiti.

An autopsy on Samuel Kaetuai, a 26-year-old Kenyan police officer, confirmed that he died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The postmortem, conducted on March 11 at Chiromo Funeral Parlour in Nairobi, revealed that he succumbed to bleeding caused by the injury.

Kaetuai’s body was repatriated to Kenya on Monday evening after a two-week wait, allowing family members to finally identify their relative. He was killed while serving on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, where his body was received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by fellow officers and family.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, along with Kaetuai’s wife and father, were present at the airport for the arrival. While the burial date has not been set, preparations are underway for his remains to be preserved at Chiromo mortuary.

Samuel Kaetuai was shot during a police operation in the Western Artibonite region, 92 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince, aimed at tackling Caribbean gangs. After the incident on February 24, he was airlifted to a hospital in Haiti but unfortunately did not survive.

In a demonstration of support, Inspector General of National Police Service Douglas Kanja and other senior officials visited Kaetuai’s family in Naserian Village, Kajiado County, to express their condolences. The MSS mission, primarily composed of Kenyan forces, has been active in Haiti since June 2024, facing various challenges, including inadequate equipment, and this marks the first fatality within the Kenyan contingent.

The tragic death of Samuel Kaetuai has underscored the dangers faced by peacekeeping forces. The autopsy results confirm the cause of death as a gunshot wound, highlighting the risks inherent in operations against violent gangs in Haiti. As Kenya continues its peacekeeping mission, support for the fallen officer’s family reflects the solidarity within the police service during this challenging time.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke