The Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) of Haiti has identified the Kenyan police officer who was allegedly killed by a Caribbean gang as Benedict Kabiru.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the Haitian government confirmed that Kabiru was shot dead on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Savien while participating in an anti-gang operation.
The transitional council reported that Kabiru, who was serving with the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, was killed during a joint operation with Haitian forces.
In his tribute, Haiti’s President Fritz Alphonse Jean hailed Kabiru as a brave officer who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight 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 lost his life on Monday, March 24, 2025, in Savien while carrying out his mission,” the statement read.
“This valiant police officer, working alongside Haitian forces to combat insecurity, made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future for our country. His bravery and commitment will never be forgotten.”
In a press statement, President Jean vowed to track down the armed criminals responsible for Kabiru’s death, promising that they would be held accountable in court.
The news of Kabiru’s death first emerged on Tuesday, March 25, following reports from local media in Haiti about his fatal confrontation with armed gangs.
During the incident, three armoured vehicles belonging to peacekeepers were set ablaze by the gangs, with footage circulating online showing the vehicles engulfed in flames.
Kenyan Police Spokesperson in Haiti, Jack Ombaka, confirmed the tragic incident, explaining that the vehicles had become stuck in a ditch, which is suspected to have been deliberately dug by the gangs.
In response, two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde, located in central Haiti, were dispatched to assist with the recovery of the vehicles.
Ombaka reported that during the recovery operation, gang members ambushed the officers, and Kabiru was killed. The gangs then took Kabiru’s body with them.
The Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) has since deployed specialized teams to search for Kabiru’s body, which is believed to still be in the possession of the gangs.
