Kenyan Police Officer Missing After Gang Ambush in Haiti
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 26 – A Kenyan officer deployed under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti is missing after gangs ambushed a rescue team in the Artibonite Department, confirmed MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka in a statement.
The attack took place on Tuesday at around 4:30 p.m. when a Haitian National Police (HNP) armored vehicle, patrolling the Carrefour Paye-Savien Main Supply Route, got stuck in a ditch, which is suspected to have been deliberately dug by gangs.
In response, two MSS Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde were sent to assist with the recovery. However, the operation took a turn when one of the MRAPs became stuck, and the other suffered a mechanical failure.
“As the rescue teams tried to resolve the situation, suspected gang members, lying in wait, launched an ambush,” said Ombaka.
The officers engaged in a firefight with the attackers. Once the gunfire ceased, it was discovered that one Kenyan officer from the MSS contingent was missing.
“As a result of the incident, one MSS Kenyan contingent officer remains unaccounted for. Specialized teams have been deployed to search for him and determine his whereabouts,” the MSS spokesperson confirmed.
Authorities believe several gang members were injured, and some may have been killed, though no specific details on casualties have been provided. Efforts to secure the area and locate the missing officer are ongoing.
This incident highlights the escalating security risks faced by the Kenyan-led MSS mission in Haiti. On March 18, a senior Kenyan police officer was shot in the head during an operation in the same area and remains in critical condition.
Additionally, on February 23, Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was shot and killed while on duty in the same region.