The
police officer who was shot and killed during a clash with criminal gangs in
Haiti has been identified as Constable Samuel Kaetuai, 28.
His family in Naserian, Kajiado West in
Kajiado County was distraught when a police officer drove there on Monday, February
24 morning to break the news of his death while serving under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti.
His father Kaetuai Lesaru Salaash told
journalists he was informed his son was killed after a clash with gangs in
Haiti.
“He has left two young children and a widow. He planned to
construct a house for us and you can see the materials there,” said the father.
He said he was the light of the
family as he appealed for the body to be flown home for burial.
Kaetuai was shot in the head
as he and other officers confronted a gang in Artibonite
region, north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Since joining the National Police Service, he has served in the border areas under the Border Patrol Unit.
Officials in Haiti said the death came less
than a week after a Haitian policeman agent Fito Laguerre was also killed by the Viv Ansanm gang at the National Fort on February 19.
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.
The
MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge said the Kenyan officer was injured during
an operation in the Artibonite region, north of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and
was airlifted to the hospital but died moments later.
The
Kenyan officers immediately pursued and killed the gang member who shot
the officer.
“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 team has 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 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 suspended the US contribution of $13.3 million to the fund, also included nine pickups, two trucks, two excavators, two armoured loaders, and tens of bullets.
Despite
the killings of the officers, the mission has registered tremendous success in
the last few weeks.
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 the 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.
