Kenyan Officer Reported Missing in Haiti After Gang Ambush
A Kenyan police officer serving under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has been reported missing following a violent ambush by armed gangs.
According to MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka, the officer disappeared after gang members attacked MSS forces in the Pont-Sonde area within the Artibonite Department.
Incident During Rescue Operation
The incident occurred on the evening of March 25, 2025, at around 4:30 PM. A Haitian National Police (HNP) armored vehicle was patrolling the Carrefour Paye-Savien Main Supply Route when it became stuck in a ditch believed to have been dug intentionally by criminal gangs.
To assist in recovering the immobilized vehicle, MSS command deployed two Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde.
Ambush by Suspected Gang Members
However, the rescue operation faced challenges as one of the MRAPs also got stuck, and the second experienced a mechanical failure. While the team was addressing the issues, suspected gang members launched a surprise attack.
“As the rescue teams attempted to resolve the situation, suspected gang members lying in wait launched an attack. As a result of the incident, one MSS Kenyan contingent officer remains unaccounted for,” Ombaka stated.
Search Mission Underway
Specialized teams have since been dispatched to the area to search for the missing officer and secure the scene.
This incident comes just days after another Kenyan officer was injured during a security operation in Kenscoff, within the Belot region. The injured officer was airlifted to ASPEN Level 2 Hospital for treatment.
Previous Casualties
The MSS mission in Haiti has already faced casualties. On February 23, Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai was killed during an operation in Ségur-Savien. He was laid to rest on March 19 in Kenya.
The MSS mission, largely composed of Kenyan officers, continues to operate under high-risk conditions in a country plagued by lawlessness and gang violence.
File image of Kenyan police officers during operations in Haiti.
