Fallen Hero: Haiti holds memorial service for Kenyan officer Samuel Kaetuai
A memorial service was held in Haiti’s Artibonite region to honour Kenyan police officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who lost his life in the line of duty on February 23, 2025.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday at Saint Jerome Parish in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, where Father Wilder Jean-Baptiste led a solemn Mass attended by residents, students, and law enforcement officials.
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During the service, Venson François, head of the Saint-Marc prosecutor’s office, delivered a condolence message from Haiti National Police (PNH) Director General Normil Rameau, calling on the public to support security forces in the fight against criminal gangs.
Philip Shiuma Wachiya, head of the Kenyan police contingent in Artibonite, spoke on behalf of Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission Force Commander Godfrey Otunge.
He commended Kaetuai’s dedication and bravery, reaffirming the commitment of Kenyan officers to restoring security in Haiti.
Haiti police hold memorial service for slain officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai at Saint Jerome Parish in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, Haiti on March 11, 2025. (MSS)
Residents expressed their solidarity with the security forces and urged for continued operations against the gangs that have destabilized the region.
Officers stationed at Pont-Sondé were recognised for their efforts in maintaining order amid ongoing threats.
Kaetuai’s body was repatriated to Kenya on Monday, March 10, 2025. Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 pm, the body was received by Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, along with Kaetuai’s father, Salaash Kaetuai, and his wife.
The body was then transferred to Chiromo Mortuary for preservation as burial arrangements continue.
An autopsy conducted at Chiromo Funeral Parlour confirmed that Kaetuai died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The pathologist reported that he succumbed to excessive bleeding caused by the bullet injury.
Kaetuai was shot during a police operation in the Western Artibonite region, 92 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince, as Kenyan officers engaged armed groups.
Following the shooting, he was airlifted to a hospital in Haiti but did not survive.
Haiti police hold memorial service for slain officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai at Saint Jerome Parish in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite, Haiti on March 11, 2025. (MSS)
Last week, in a show of solidarity, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and senior officers visited Kaetuai’s family in Naserian Village, Kajiado County, to offer condolences.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan-led MSS mission continues efforts to combat gangs in Haiti. Despite facing logistical challenges, Kaetuai’s death marked the first casualty among Kenyan officers in the mission.
In a related development, the National Treasury has allocated an additional Sh6.3 billion to support Kenya’s security mission in Haiti and improve investigative operations at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
According to a supplementary budget report, the overall budget for the National Police Service for the financial year ending June 2025 has increased from Sh108.68 billion to Sh114.97 billion.
“The approved estimates have been revised... reflecting a net increase of Sh6.3 billion on account of the multi-national security support mission to Haiti, enhanced security operations, and maintenance and upgrade of systems under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” the Treasury stated.
Kenyan officers were deployed to Haiti in June 2024 to help restore order as criminal gangs seized large parts of Port-au-Prince and rural areas. While some areas have been reclaimed, operations remain challenging, with recent clashes leading to further violence.
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