The police officer who was shot and killed during a clash with criminal gangs in Haiti has been identified as Constable Samuel Kitwai, 26.
Kitwai who was serving in the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti died on Sunday February 23 after he was injured during a security operation.
He had come from the General Service Unit.
The US embassy in Nairobi sent condolences to the family of the officer who died while working to improve security for the Haitian people as part of the Multinational Security Support mission.
“The United States is grateful for the courageous Kenyan police who are serving in harm’s way to keep our world safer,” the embassy said in a post.
The MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge said the officer was injured during an operation in the Artibonite region, north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, was airlifted to the hospital but died moments later.
The Kenyan officers immediately pursued and killed the gang member who shot Constable Kitwai.
“One of our MSS officers from the Kenyan contingent was injured during an operation in Segur-Savien, in the Artibonite department.
The officer was immediately airlifted to Aspen Level 2 Hospital but, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries,” he said in a statement.
Over the past week, the officers have been conducting continuous security operations in Artibonite, successfully neutralizing several gangs.
“In response, the residents of Seguin in Pont-Sonde called for similar action in their area.
Answering their plea, our brave Kenyan officers responded without hesitation,” the mission’s spokesperson Jack Ombaka said.
The Kenyan becomes the first casualty in the operation that has largely been categorised as successful so far.
The Kenya police officers, in honour of the fallen officer, remained unbowed and vowed to pursue the gangs to the last man standing to ensure a safe and secure Haiti.
“This is the price our courageous officer paid -he was killed while fighting for the people of Haiti.
His fellow officers, unwilling to accept the loss, immediately pursued and neutralized the gang member responsible,” Ombaka said in a statement.
The National Police Service said the family of the deceased officer had been notified.
The NPS Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said the officers were on patrol on Sunday with the team when they came under fire from suspected gang members.
“The officer sustained gunshot wounds and was rushed to hospital where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The family of the deceased has been notified,” Muchiri said.
Two weeks ago, the Kenya police-led MSS received a major boost when the United States donated at least 600 assorted guns, ammunition and vehicles.
The donation, made barely a week after President Donald Trump put on pause the US contribution of $13.3 million to the fund, also included nine pickups, two trucks, two excavators, two armored loaders and tens of bullets.
Despite the Sunday killing of the officer, the mission has registered tremendous success in the last few weeks.
Officials said the donation underscores the United States’ continued commitment to supporting both the Haiti National Police (HNP) and MSS, enhancing their operational capacity to combat gangs and restore peace in Haiti.
“The successful arrival of reinforcements and equipment demonstrated that the MSS mission remains fully operational and progressing toward its objectives,” an official said.
A Ukrainian cargo plane had arrived from El Salvador carrying three helicopters designated for medical evacuations, commonly referred to as ‘Medevac’ in security or military parlance, and casualty evacuations (Casevac).
With the training of Haiti National Police (HNP) by the Kenya police, the donation will help in pushing back the gangs that have terrorized parts of Haiti’s capital city for years.
Chronic instability, dictatorships and natural disasters in recent decades have left Haiti the poorest nation in the Americas.
Last year, Haiti saw a record number of neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas fall to armed gangs, despite the presence of foreign forces and a new US-backed transition government.
The Kenyan team is part of the group of a UN-approved international force that will be made up of 2,500 officers from various countries.
There are however concerns that even if the team manages to dislodge the bandits from this stronghold, the absence of an immediate and lasting occupation by the police or the army will allow them to return quickly.
HNP and MSS launched a muscular operation at the weekend in Croix-des-Bouquets, targeting the stronghold of the 400 Mawozo gang, led by Lanmô San Jou, Otunge said, adding that security forces also dismantled structures set up for an unauthorized carnival festival.
The joint operations continued in Tabarre where several Krazebarière gang members were arrested. Security forces seized 15 handguns and 12 communication radios from their base, striking a major blow against Vitèlôme’s criminal network, part of the ‘Vivansam’ gang alliance.
Although it has been authorized by the United Nations Security Council, the MSS is not a UN force.
The UN has, however, set up a voluntary fund to finance it. The funds are used for logistics, intelligence, communication, and medical assistance.
Last month, the UN Police Adviser and the Director of the Police Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations at the UN headquarters approved turning the MSS to a UN mission.
The UN Police Adviser and the Director of the Police Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, UN Headquarters New York Faisal Shahkar approved the shift.
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