Family of Kenyan police missing in Haiti accuses state of neglect

The family of a missing Kenyan police officer deployed on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti has criticised the government for allegedly sidelining them in the search for their kin, nearly three weeks after he disappeared following a reported gang ambush.

Speaking at their home in Kiambu, Benedict Kabiru’s family said what began as a hopeful wait for answers has turned into a painful ordeal marked by silence, unanswered calls, and broken promises from the very institutions they expected to support them.

“We are in distress. It is us making the follow-ups, not the government. Our calls go unanswered, and even when we visit their offices, nothing comes of it,” Daniel Ndungu, the family spokesperson, told The Standard.

Ndungu added that their attempts to seek updates from the National Police Service and the Ministry of the Interior have hit a dead end, despite repeated efforts to contact officials.

He recounted a particularly disappointing incident involving a promised counselling session that never materialised.

“We were given the contact details of the Director of Operations at the National Police Service. He told us they were arranging counselling for the family. I kept following up, but most of the time, he did not pick up the calls. When he finally did, he said we should prepare for a Wednesday session and that they would send a car to take us to the headquarters. We got ready, but on the day, he called to cancel. Since then, we’ve heard nothing,” he said.

Kabiru was deployed to Haiti as part of a UN-backed multinational force tasked with restoring order in the gang-ravaged Caribbean nation. His disappearance sparked shock and concern both locally and internationally, particularly after a video surfaced online appearing to show a man resembling him lying motionless on the ground.

There were claims that Kabiru had been killed and that his body was being held by Haitian gangs. However, the government dismissed the video, insisting it was AI-generated and maintaining that the officer remains missing.

Kabiru’s family now say they feel abandoned by the very government their son was serving. “We just want answers—and, most importantly, assurance that everything possible is being done to find him,” Ndungu said.

Government insists search is ongoing

The government has repeatedly stated that efforts to locate Officer Kabiru are still underway.

In an interview with NTV, Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission spokesperson Jack Ombaka said the team has been collaborating with the Haitian government, local communities, and international partners to trace the missing officer.

“We are receiving assistance from all parties, including the Haitian population, their government, and international partners. I am pleased to report that progress is being made,” he said.

Ombaka also dismissed a widely circulated video purportedly showing Kabiru’s final moments, urging the public to treat such content with caution.

“Many Haitian gangs thrive on propaganda. Given the rise of AI, it is highly unlikely the video in question depicts Benedict Kabiru,” he said.

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He noted that the mission has been in touch with Kabiru’s family and assured them of ongoing efforts, reiterating that the video is not authentic.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, speaking during Eid celebrations in Eastleigh, also reaffirmed that an active search operation continues in Haiti.

“We are committed to finding Officer Kabiru, and updates will be provided once we have concrete information,” Kanja said.

He praised the Kenyan contingent in Haiti for their resilience and dedication, nine months after their deployment under the UN-backed mission.

However, Kanja did not confirm whether Kabiru is alive or dead.