Haiti President Condemns Killing of Kenyan Officer During Police Camp Visit
Haiti President Fritz Alphonse Jean visited the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission camp, where Kenyan police officers are stationed, following the tragic killing of one of the officers by gangs.
His visit aimed to reaffirm Haiti’s support for the mission and offer condolences to the officers affected by the loss.
The visit comes after the death of Constable Benedict Kairu, who was shot and killed in an ambush by gang members during a security operation on Tuesday. President Jean met with MSS leadership, including Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, to discuss the incident and the ongoing security efforts.
Commitment to Finding Missing Kenyan Officer
During his address, the President reiterated Haiti’s dedication to working closely with MSS personnel and other partners in the search for another Kenyan officer who went missing on March 25 in the Pont-Sondé area of the Artibonite Department. He assured the Kenyan contingent of Haiti’s full cooperation in recovering the missing officer.
President Jean also commended the MSS contingents for their unwavering service to Haiti, acknowledging their role in combating gang violence. He highlighted the strong and productive partnership between the Haitian National Police (HNP) and MSS forces led by Kenya.
Encouragement and Assurance for MSS Troops
The President encouraged the MSS officers to stay resilient and focused on their mission to restore security in Haiti. He expressed gratitude for their commitment to protecting Haitian citizens from gang-related threats and violence.
Force Commander Otunge assured the President that MSS officers remain dedicated and motivated in their mission. He outlined the successes achieved by MSS so far and welcomed the Haitian leadership’s active participation in the search for the missing Kenyan officer.
Otunge also paid tribute to the late officer, acknowledging his bravery in the fight for a safer Haiti. Additionally, he expressed appreciation for the local community in Pont-Sondé, recognizing their continued collaboration with MSS and HNP in tackling gang-related violence and assisting in the ongoing search efforts.
Leadership Reaffirms Commitment to Officer’s Recovery
Accompanying the President during the visit were Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aimé, former Transitional Presidential Council President Leslie Voltaire, and Haiti National Police Director General Rameau Normil. They reiterated their unwavering commitment to locating the missing officer, Administration Police Constable Benedict Kabiru.
“The TPC President and Prime Minister reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to ensuring that the missing Administration Police Constable Benedict Kabiru is found,” a statement from Haitian authorities read.
Following the attack, disturbing videos surfaced online, allegedly showing the officer’s body on the ground. However, the body has yet to be recovered. Kenyan authorities have since deployed specialized teams to locate and retrieve the remains, which are believed to still be in the custody of the gangs.
More News: Babu Owino Refutes Rift Claims with Raila Odinga, Calls Relationship ‘Extremely Okay’
Haiti President Condemns Killing of Kenyan Officer During Police Camp Visit
