A Kenyan police officer, part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti, was reported missing following a confrontation with criminal gangs on March 25, 2025. The incident occurred in the Pont-Sonde area of Port-au-Prince, where the officer’s team was conducting a patrol. The situation escalated when their vehicle became stuck in a ditch, suspected to have been deliberately created by gangs.
Efforts to recover the vehicle involved deploying additional armored vehicles, but mechanical issues and further complications left the team vulnerable. During the ensuing attack by gang members, the officer went missing. Specialized search teams have since been deployed to locate the officer and determine his status.
This incident comes just weeks after another Kenyan police officer, Constable Samuel Ketuai was killed in Haiti during an anti-gang operation on February 23, 2025. Ketuai was shot in the Artibonite region and succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment. He was the first casualty of the Kenyan-led mission in Haiti.
The recent events highlight the challenges faced by the MSS mission, which includes 800 Kenyan police officers among its ranks. The mission aims to combat gang violence and restore stability in Haiti, a nation grappling with a deepening crisis as gangs control significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Despite these efforts, the mission has faced setbacks, including previous attacks on Kenyan officers in the same region.
