A Kenyan police officer deployed to Haiti as part of efforts to combat violent gangs was killed during a confrontation with a gang in the Artibonite region, officials confirmed on Sunday.
The officer was part of a Kenyan contingent engaged in operations aimed at curbing gang violence in the area. The team had been responding to a call for assistance from residents in Pont-Sonde when the deadly encounter occurred.
Despite being airlifted for medical treatment, the officer succumbed to his injuries, as confirmed by Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Kenyan forces in Haiti.
Following the attack, the Kenyan officers pursued the assailants. Mission representative Jack Ombaka expressed gratitude to the medical teams and Salvadoran forces for their support.
“This is the ultimate sacrifice our officer made, losing his life while protecting the people of Haiti,” Ombaka stated.
The Gran Grif gang, which is believed to control the region, is suspected to be behind the attack.
This tragic incident highlights the ongoing struggle to rein in gang violence in Haiti, which has escalated since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Kenya has sent hundreds of officers to assist in Haiti’s fight against lawlessness, with an additional 200 officers arriving in February to bolster the over 600 already deployed. This effort is part of a multinational force that also includes personnel from Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
