Kenyan officer killed in multinational security support mission in Haiti

A Kenyan officer serving in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has tragically lost his life during an operation in SÉGUR – SAVIEN. The news was confirmed in a statement released on Monday morning by MSS Force Commander Geoffrey Otunge, who noted that the officer succumbed to his injuries at Aspen Level 2 Hospital in Haiti.

The ongoing security crisis in Haiti has seen a staggering increase in violence, with over 5,600 fatalities reported last year due to gang-related incidents—approximately 1,000 more than in 2023, according to United Nations sources. The humanitarian situation remains dire, as more than a million Haitians have been displaced from their homes, tripling the number from the previous year.

In January, in a demonstration of commitment to supporting Haiti, Kenya deployed an additional 144 police officers to the Caribbean nation. This move came after the U.S. reversed its decision to withdraw support from the security mission aimed at stabilizing the troubled country.

The deployment of Kenyan police and ongoing operations underscore the challenges facing the MSS mission as it seeks to restore peace and security in Haiti amid a backdrop of escalating violence and humanitarian needs.