Where is Benedict Kabiru? Family of missing police officer in Haiti demands answers 37 days later

Thirty-seven days later, the family of the missing police officer deployed to Haiti, Benedict Kabiru, is still demanding answers, saying they have been left in the dark by both Kenyan and Haitian officials.

According to the family, no official communication has been made regarding Kabiru’s whereabouts since his disappearance on March 26, despite repeated appeals to the government. They decried that efforts to reach relevant offices have been met with silence, vague reassurances, or conflicting statements that have only worsened their anguish.

“Today marks 37 days since the breaking news of my brother’s disappearance. We cannot comprehend anything to date. We feel abandoned,” Kabiru’s brother, Philip Kamau, said on Saturday while addressing the press in Nairobi.

Kamau described the toll the uncertainty has taken on the family, revealing that Kabiru’s mother and wife have struggled to eat or sleep, overwhelmed by fear and unanswered questions. He added that Kabiru’s daughter, who is set to join university, has been left emotionally distressed.

“She often asks me, ‘How are we going to live without my father?’ I don’t even have answers to that,” Kamau said.

He added, “She hides whenever she sees the media. She says she doesn’t want to be the breaking news.”

Despite initial government promises of counselling and support, the family says nothing has materialised. They recall being instructed to present themselves for counselling sessions, only to be ignored once they complied.

“At 2:00 pm on April 24, the Kikuyu police commander, a catechist, a pastor and an imam visited our home and offered prayers. That was the last contact we had from anyone in authority,” Kamau said.

Adding to their confusion are conflicting statements from Haitian and Kenyan authorities. While Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council issued a statement implying Kabiru may have died in a violent March 25 attack, Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has maintained that search efforts are still underway.

“The search is still on for the unaccounted officer, and all efforts are being made to ensure we find him,” Kanja said during the Idd Ul Fitr Celebrations.

“I want to assure the family of the missing officer that we are doing everything possible, and we are going to bring him back.”

But for the family, the assurances ring hollow.

“We don’t know anything. They only issue empty promises whenever they pick up our calls—if they even do,” Kamau said. “We just want the truth.”

Last conversations

Kabiru’s uncle, Daniel, recalled their last conversations on WhatsApp before the disappearance.

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“He was in high spirits. He kept assuring us that things were fine. Now those plans we had are on hold, and we’re left wondering,” he said.

In a move to compel action, the family has formally written to Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, demanding an official statement on whether Kabiru is alive or dead. Through their lawyer, Mbuthi Gathenji, they have issued a 30-day ultimatum to the State, warning that failure to respond will lead to legal proceedings.

“We have requested a written, unconditional response because this so-called search mission has turned into a daily routine statement,” Gathenji said.

The family insists that unless they receive clear communication within 30 days, they will move to court seeking orders compelling the government to disclose Kabiru’s whereabouts.

“We are tired of official rhetoric. We want direct confirmation from Haiti itself. This daily narrative about an ongoing search is exhausting,” Gathenji added.

The family said the silence from the State is becoming unbearable, with no concrete answers.

“Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli told us he would deliver good news soon. More than a month has passed, and we’re still waiting,” Daniel said. “We’re anxious. We’re in pain. We need the truth.”