In a report shared by Nation Africa, negotiations have begun between Kenyan authorities and Haitian gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, alias ‘Barbecue,’ to secure the release of the body of a Kenyan police officer who was killed in Haiti.
The officer, who was part of Kenya’s peacekeeping mission in the Caribbean nation, lost his life during an operation in the gang-controlled Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.
The officer was fatally injured during a raid targeting criminal gangs in Haiti. The operation, which was conducted by the Haitian National Police (PNH), aimed to dismantle the stronghold of the G9 Family and Allies gang federation, which is led by Chérizier.
The mission turned violent, leading to the officer’s death, highlighting the challenges Kenyan peacekeepers face in a country overwhelmed by armed groups and political instability.
According to the report, Chérizier, a former police officer turned gang leader, has set conditions for the release of the officer’s body.
He has demanded that any negotiations focus on the plight of Haitians who are suffering due to ongoing violence. He has also issued warnings against foreign intervention, including the Kenyan peacekeeping mission, which he views as an attack on Haiti’s sovereignty.
In a recent statement, he said that he would consider Kenyan officers as invaders and would not cooperate with any foreign force entering Haiti.
Kenya deployed 1,000 police officers to Haiti in 2024 as part of an international effort to restore order in the country. However, the mission has faced serious obstacles, including resistance from heavily armed gangs and a lack of resources.
The death of the Kenyan officer has sparked calls for justice and accountability, with his family urging the Kenyan government to ensure his body is returned home safely and to provide support to his loved ones.
Civil society organizations have also called for a review of Kenya’s peacekeeping strategy in Haiti to minimize risks to its personnel. Some analysts have questioned whether Kenya should continue with the mission, given the hostility from local gangs and the dangers involved.
Meanwhile, authorities in Kenya insist they remain committed to their mandate of supporting Haiti’s security and stability despite the risks.
