A Kenyan police officer deployed as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has been identified as Benedict Kabiru after he was killed by armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.
The Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) of Haiti confirmed his identity in a statement issued on Wednesday evening.
According to the Haitian government, Kabiru was shot dead on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Savien while participating in an anti-gang operation. He was working alongside Haitian forces when the attack occurred.
Mourning his death, Haiti’s President, Fritz Alphonse Jean, described Kabiru as a courageous officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against insecurity for a better future for the Caribbean nation.
“The Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) extends its deepest condolences to the government and people of Kenya, as well as to the family of Benedict Kabiru, who fell on Monday, 24 March 2025, in Savien while carrying out his mission,” the statement read.
“This valiant police officer, engaged alongside Haitian forces in the fight against insecurity, made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future for our country. His bravery and commitment will never be forgotten,” the PTC added.
Kenyan Government’s Response
The death of Kabiru was first reported on Tuesday, March 25, after local Haitian media revealed that he was killed during a confrontation with gangs. The incident also saw three armoured vehicles belonging to the peacekeeping forces set ablaze by armed criminals, with footage circulating online showing the vehicles engulfed in flames.
Kenyan Police Spokesperson in Haiti, Jack Ombaka, confirmed the incident, revealing that the attack occurred after the peacekeepers’ vehicles got stuck in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by the gangs.
In response, two MSS Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde, located in central Haiti, were deployed to assist in the recovery. However, as the officers attempted to retrieve the vehicles, they were ambushed by gang members who fatally shot Kabiru and took away his body.
Following the attack, the Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) announced that specialized teams had been dispatched to search for Kabiru’s body, which is still believed to be in the custody of the gangs.
Haitian Government Vows Justice
Speaking to the press, President Jean vowed to pursue and bring to justice the criminals responsible for Kabiru’s death. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that those behind the attack face the full force of the law.
Kenya deployed its first batch of police officers to Haiti on January 19, 2025, as part of the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission aimed at restoring peace and security in the gang-infested Caribbean nation. The mission has faced several challenges, including violent confrontations with heavily armed gangs who control large parts of Haiti.
The killing of Kabiru has sparked concerns over the safety of the Kenyan contingent in Haiti, with calls for increased security measures to protect officers on the ground.
The Kenyan government is yet to issue an official statement regarding the officer’s death, but diplomatic efforts are ongoing to ensure the retrieval of his body and to bring those responsible to justice.
