The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti has suffered its first casualty after a Kenyan police officer died while receiving treatment for injuries sustained during a security operation.
In a statement on Monday February 24, 2025 in the morning, MSS Force Commander Geoffrey Otunge said the officer died while undergoing treatment at Aspen Hospital in Haiti.
“Today, Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, one of our MSS officers from the Kenyan contingent was injured during an operation in SÉGUR – SAVIEN, in the Artibonite department. The officer was immediately airlifted to Aspen Level 2 Hospital but, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries,” Otunge said in a statement.
Otunge added that since the beginning of the MSS mission, Kenyan police officers have been conducting continuous security operations, successfully neutralizing several gangs.
“Over the past week, Kenyan police 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,” said Otunge.
“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,” he added.
This marks the first casualty on the Kenyan team since they arrived in Haiti on June 25, 2024, to help the Caribbean nation in fighting criminal gangs.
Meanwhile, Kenya has deployed about 800 officers of the 1,000 needed for the MSS mission in Haiti.
The Kenyan team is part of a UN-approved international force that will be made up of 2,500 officers from various countries.
There are approximately 900 police and troops from Kenya, El Salvador, Jamaica, Guatemala and Belize.
This was after the government of Kenya on February 6, 2025 sent 168 more police officers to Haiti to join others in fighting criminal gangs.
Meanwhile, the US had announced the freezing of over US$13 million (Ksh1.7 billion) in funding for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Mission in Haiti.
