The body of Police Officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who was tragically killed while serving in a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, arrived in Nairobi on Monday March 10, 2025 in the evening, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
His return marks a solemn moment for the nation, as Kenya mourns its fallen hero.
A Hero’s Return
Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, led a delegation of officers to receive Kaetuai’s remains. Among those present were nominated Senator Peris Tobiko, his grieving family members, and close friends, led by his father, Salaash Kaetuai.
The officer’s body was transferred to Chiromo Mortuary, where it will be preserved as the family makes burial arrangements. The date for the final send-off is expected to be announced soon.
Fallen in the Line of Duty
Officer Kaetuai met his untimely death at the hands of armed gangs while carrying out a peacekeeping mission in Haiti. The Multinational Security Support Mission confirmed the tragedy on social media platform X, revealing that he succumbed to injuries sustained in an operation.
Later, the National Police Service detailed the circumstances of his death, stating that Kaetuai came under attack from suspected gang members on Sunday. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital for urgent treatment of gunshot wounds, he did not survive.
Kenya’s Foreign Ministry Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’oei, expressed his condolences on X, saying he was “heartbroken by the loss of a member of Kenya’s deployment.”
Haiti’s Growing Violence Crisis
Kaetuai’s death underscores the dangerous conditions in Haiti, a country struggling with escalating gang violence. The United Nations (UN) reported that at least 5,601 people were killed in gang-related incidents in 2024—a staggering increase of 1,000 deaths compared to 2023.
The UN also documented 315 lynching of alleged gang members and 281 suspected summary executions by police. The violence has displaced over a million Haitians, according to the UN’s migration agency.
Uncertainty Over Peacekeeping Mission
The Haiti peacekeeping mission faced uncertainty in February, when the United States, under President Donald Trump’s directive, temporarily suspended international funding. However, a waiver issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later allowed funding to resume, ensuring the mission could continue.
Kenya’s deployment in Haiti remains a crucial effort in restoring stability, but Kaetuai’s tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the immense risks faced by peacekeepers in volatile regions.
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