Haitian President visits Kenyan troops as search for missing officer continues
Specialised MSS teams have since been deployed to search for the missing officer, but there have been no updates from Kenyan authorities in Haiti.
A desperate search is underway in Haiti for a missing Kenyan police officer, with top Haitian government officials visiting the camp hosting security officers under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
The visit by Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) President Fritz Alphonse Jean and other senior leaders on Thursday was aimed at showing support and discussing the intensified efforts in tracing the missing officer, Constable Benedict Kairu, who was shot during a security operation on Tuesday.
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Since then, MSS officers have been combing the troubled region in a bid to locate him, as concerns grow over rising attacks on security personnel.
During his visit to MSS’s LSA 2 camp, President Fritz met with MSS leadership, led by Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, to reaffirm Haiti’s commitment to working closely with MSS officers and other stakeholders in the search.
He commended the officers for their efforts in restoring security in the country, urging them to remain focused on their mission. “We recognise and appreciate the sacrifices you are making to bring peace and security to our country,” Fritz said.
He also praised the strong collaboration between the Haitian National Police and MSS officers, saying their partnership was crucial in fighting gang violence.
Otunge thanked the TPC President for his support and assured him that MSS officers were determined to carry out their mission despite the challenges they faced.
“Our officers remain motivated and will continue working closely with local authorities to achieve our mission,” he stated.
He also acknowledged the role of the local community in Pont-Sondé, recognising their cooperation in efforts to combat gang violence and locate the missing officer.
Fritz was accompanied by Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aimé, former TPC President Leslie Voltaire, and Haitian National Police Director General Rameau Normil.
Their presence underscored the Haitian government’s commitment to ensuring that Constable Benedict Kabiru is found.
The Prime Minister and the TPC President reiterated that all necessary resources would be deployed in the search.
Meanwhile, Kabiru’s mother, Jacinta Wanjiku Kabiru, has pleaded for more information on her son’s whereabouts, expressing frustration over the lack of clarity.
“Since Wednesday at 6:30 am, the report I got from the AP commander sub-county in Kikuyu is that my son was missing, but I have not heard anything further,” she said.
Local media in Haiti reported that a Kenyan MSS officer had been killed, with videos circulating online allegedly showing the officer’s body.
However, MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka did not confirm the officer’s identity but acknowledged that a Kenyan officer had gone missing after their convoy was ambushed by gangs.
The attack happened on Tuesday around 4:30 pm when an armored vehicle belonging to the Haitian National Police got stuck in a ditch along the Carrefour Paye-Savien Main Supply Route in the Pont-Sondé area.
Specialised MSS teams have since been deployed to search for the missing officer, but there have been no updates from Kenyan authorities in Haiti.
Amid the conflicting reports, Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council announced on Thursday that a Kenyan officer had died. However, Jacinta Wanjiku Kabiru remains unconvinced, holding onto hope that her son is still alive
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