Kenyan Police Officer Killed in Haiti Gang Shootout

Samuel Kaitwai, a 28-year-old Kenyan police officer serving in Haiti, was killed in a gunfight with gangs in Ségur-Savien, Artibonite department.

The incident has plunged his family and the village of Naserian into mourning, leaving behind a wife and two young children. Kaitwai succumbed to his injuries after being transported to a local hospital. The death reflects the perilous conditions faced by international security forces operating in Haiti, which has been plagued by escalating gang violence and political instability. Kaetuai Lesaru Salaash, Kaitwai's father, expresses his grief, stating, "I was informed this morning that my son had been killed in an encounter with armed criminals. He has left behind two very young children and a wife."

Naomi Samuel, Kaitwai's wife, shares that their last exchanges revolved around the well-being of their children. Joseph Kimiti, the family spokesperson, emphasizes Kaitwai's commitment to his loved ones and his responsible nature, noting his avoidance of vices after securing employment Kaitwai's death is a significant loss for the Kenyan police force and the Naserian community, where he was seen as a source of stability and support for his family. His aspirations to build a home for his family are now symbolized by an unfinished foundation, a stark reminder of his unrealized dreams.

"He was the only one with a stable income, and we all depended on him. You can see, he had even started building a house for his family," said his brother, Amos Kaetuai.

Kitwai is the first casualty suffered by the Kenyan-led force since its deployment in June of last year. According to MSS spokesman Jack Ombaka, Constable Kitwai was fatally shot by a gang member. He was immediately airlifted to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The MSS, comprised of officers from Kenya, Bahamas, Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Jamaica, was deployed to Haiti to help stabilize the country, which has been largely overrun by gangs.

These gangs control vast portions of the capital and rural areas. Gang-related violence has surged in Haiti, resulting in over 5,500 deaths this year alone and displacing more than one million people. The commander of the multinational force, Gen Godfrey Otunge, confirmed the incident and stated that Constable Kitwai's family had been notified. The Kenyan Foreign Ministry has expressed its "heartbreak" over the officer's death. Mr Ombaka describes Constable Kitwai as a "fallen hero" who "was killed while fighting for the people of Haiti," adding that the MSS will "pursue these gangs to the last man standing."

The MSS force was recently reinforced with 200 additional Kenyan officers. However, the force faces a significant challenge as it is outgunned and outnumbered by gangs armed with illegally smuggled weapons, primarily from the United States. The future of the MSS faced uncertainty when the Trump administration ordered a freeze on foreign aid programs. While US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later approved a waiver for funds destined for the MSS and Haiti's National Police, it remains unclear whether the US government will support converting the MSS into a UN peacekeeping operation, a move that would provide more secure funding.