Kenya's Haiti mission denies allegations of withholding information from officers' families
MSS Spokesperson Jack Ombaka explained that the government has put in place several measures to ensure continuous communication with officers’ families.
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti has dismissed claims that the families of police officers deployed there are not receiving updates on their welfare due to communication lapses.
In an interview with NTV, MSS Spokesperson Jack Ombaka explained that the government has put in place several measures to ensure continuous communication with officers’ families.
More To Read
- MSS terms as propaganda video claiming to show missing Kenyan officer in Haiti
- Report highlights challenges Haiti mission faces in battling gang control over key urban areas
- Kenyan police officers in Haiti suffer more casualties in clashes with gangs
- Police IG Kanja says search for officer Benedict Kabiru missing in Haiti still ongoing
This was in response to concerns raised by the families of officers, including that of Benedict Kabiru – who is still missing after an attack by a gang in Haiti – who have expressed frustration over the lack of concrete updates regarding the welfare of their loved ones in Haiti.
Ombaka explained that the MSS has established Wi-Fi facilities at all bases in Haiti to facilitate communication.
“As we speak, I’m using the Wi-Fi facilities for MSS. Everywhere in our bases, we have set up Wi-Fi,” Ombaka said.
He also revealed that the government of Kenya provides every officer with airtime and data bundles to ensure they can stay in contact with their families.
“We have so many of our social media handles shared online, and every time there’s an incident, whether positive or negative, we share these updates through our social media platforms,” Ombaka said.
He further noted that the Office of the Spokesperson has been merged with the Office of the Director of Strategic Communication to streamline the flow of information.
“This is very deliberate. The reason behind it is to make sure that information reaches the target audience as fast as possible,” Ombaka said.
Kabiru was one of the officers who went missing after being ambushed by a gang while on a rescue mission in Haiti.
His family has expressed growing frustration over the lack of concrete updates regarding his condition six days after his disappearance. Last Sunday, the family held a prayer service in Thamanda, Kikuyu, Kiambu County, seeking divine intervention for his safe return.
Tears flowed as relatives and neighbours of Kabiru grappled with his disappearance and the limited information being provided by authorities.
“I keep wondering what is happening where he is. Have they remained silent as we have, or is the search continuing? My plea is for them to update us on their progress. From where he disappeared, how far have they reached?” Kabiru’s mother, Jecinta Wanjiku, posed.
She voiced her frustration over the lack of communication from authorities, adding to the family’s distress during this difficult time.
In response, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that an active search is still underway in Haiti to establish Kabiru’s whereabouts.
“We are committed to finding officer Kabiru, and updates will be provided once we have concrete information,” he said.
Top Stories Today
