Kenyan Police Officer Samuel Kaitwai Killed in Haiti Gang Violence
Samuel Kaitwai, a 28-year-old Kenyan police officer, was killed in Haiti during a gang shootout, leaving a wife and two children. His death highlights the extreme risks faced by international forces in the region. In 2023, Haiti’s gang-related violence caused over 5,500 deaths and significant displacements. The Kenyan-led force, struggling against heavily armed gangs, seeks further support amid an uncertain future.
Samuel Kaitwai, a 28-year-old Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti, was killed during a shootout with gangs in Ségur-Savien, Artibonite department. His death has brought deep sorrow to his family and the village of Naserian, where he leaves behind a wife and two young children. After being rushed to a local hospital, Kaitwai succumbed to his injuries, highlighting the dangerous circumstances facing international security personnel in Haiti amid increasing gang violence and political unrest.
Kaitwai’s father, Kaetuai Lesaru Salaash, expressed profound grief, stating, “I was informed this morning that my son had been killed in an encounter with armed criminals. He has left behind two very young children and a wife.” In a heart-wrenching exchange, Naomi Samuel, Kaitwai’s wife, reminisced about their last conversations focused on their children’s well-being, while family spokesperson Joseph Kimiti highlighted Kaitwai’s dedication to his loved ones and his responsible lifestyle after obtaining steady employment.
Described as a pillar of support within the Naserian community, Kaitwai’s death is a significant loss for both his family and the Kenyan police force. His aspirations to construct a loving home for his family remain symbolized by an unfinished house foundation, reflecting his unfulfilled dreams. Brother Amos Kaetuai remarked, “He was the only one with a stable income, and we all depended on him. You can see, he had even started building a house for his family.”
Kaitwai is noted as the first casualty of the Kenyan-led multinational force since its deployment in June last year. According to MSS spokesman Jack Ombaka, the officer was shot fatally by a gang member and was airlifted to the hospital, but died shortly after. The MSS consists of officers from multiple countries, including Kenya, tasked with stabilizing Haiti, which is plagued by rampant gang control and violence.
In 2023 alone, gang-related violence in Haiti has resulted in over 5,500 deaths and displaced more than one million individuals. Gen Godfrey Otunge, commander of the multinational force, confirmed Kaitwai’s tragic incident and indicated that his family has been notified. The Kenyan Foreign Ministry expressed its sorrow over the officer’s death, with Ombaka referring to Kaitwai as a “fallen hero” who “was killed while fighting for the people of Haiti.”
Despite a recent reinforcement with an additional 200 officers, the MSS faces challenges in combating gangs that are larger in number and better armed with illegally smuggled weapons from the United States. The future of the MSS is uncertain following a freeze on foreign aid programs ordered by the Trump administration, although potential funding waivers for the MSS and Haiti’s National Police have been issued. However, there remains ambiguity regarding the transformation of the MSS into a more stable UN peacekeeping operation.
Samuel Kaitwai’s tragic death underscores the risks faced by Kenyan police officers in Haiti where a surge in gang violence persists. His legacy reflects not just personal loss for his family but also the broader challenges pertaining to security operations in a highly volatile environment. The need for robust support measures, including potential funding for peacekeeping efforts, remains critical as armed gangs continue to destabilize the region.
Original Source: mwakilishi.com
