The death of Kenyan police officer Benedict Kabiru in Haiti has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of Kenyan officers deployed under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
Kabiru was killed in an anti-gang operation in Savien on March 24, 2025, making him the latest casualty in the increasingly dangerous mission. The Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) of Haiti confirmed his death, sparking renewed debate over the risks involved in the deployment of Kenyan security personnel to the troubled Caribbean nation.
Kabiru was working alongside Haitian forces when he was shot. His death comes just a month after Police Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was killed in a similar operation in the Artibonite region on February 23, 2025. The increasing casualties have fueled growing concerns about the effectiveness and security of the Kenyan-led MSS mission.
Despite efforts to stabilize Haiti, gang violence continues to escalate, with armed groups becoming more aggressive and targeting security forces directly.The attack that led to Kabiru’s death reportedly took place when three armoured vehicles carrying peacekeepers got stuck in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by gangs.
As officers tried to recover the vehicles, they were ambushed, and in the ensuing violence, Kabiru was fatally shot. His body remains in the hands of the gangs, and Kenyan authorities have since dispatched specialized teams to recover it.
The situation underscores the increasing level of danger facing the Kenyan forces, who are now not only fighting well-armed criminal gangs but also struggling with logistical challenges in an unfamiliar environment.
Haitian President Fritz Alphonse Jean has vowed to bring those responsible for Kabiru’s death to justice, but such promises have done little to reassure critics of the mission. The reality on the ground suggests that gangs in Haiti operate with significant influence, often outmatching local law enforcement.
The MSS mission was intended to restore order in Haiti, but the growing number of casualties raises serious doubts about its success. With Kenyan officers at the forefront of the operation, their safety remains a major concern.
Pressure is mounting on Kenyan authorities to reassess the mission, as fears grow over how many more officers could lose their lives in the volatile operation. The deaths of Kabiru and Kaetuai highlight the brutal reality of the situation, where gangs appear to be gaining the upper hand despite the presence of multinational forces.
If the Kenyan government does not take urgent steps to review the deployment, more officers could soon suffer the same fate. The Haitian crisis continues to spiral out of control, and Kenyan forces are now caught in a deadly conflict with no clear end in sight.
