Kenyan Officer Missing in Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence

A Kenyan police officer has gone missing in Haiti amid gang violence during a rescue mission. Reports suggest the officer may have been killed. The Kenyan-led force has faced significant challenges, including personnel shortages and funding freezes, hindering their efforts to combat rampant gang control in Port-au-Prince.

A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti has gone missing after gangs attacked a group on a rescue mission. The Kenyan contingent was en route to aid Haitian police trapped in a ditch purportedly created by gangs. According to a United Nations-backed security mission, specialized teams are actively searching for the missing officer.

Local Haitian media have reported that the officer may have been killed, with disturbing videos of an individual in a Kenyan uniform circulating online. Gang violence has exacerbated homelessness in Haiti, with over one million people displaced, many living in makeshift shelters after their homes were destroyed.

The Kenyan-led security force, established last year to combat gang control in Haiti’s capital, has faced significant challenges. While Kenya pledged to send 1,000 officers, only 800 have been deployed since June. Recent reports indicate that another Kenyan officer was shot and killed in February, with preparations for his burial conducted in Kenya.

The mission has been critically understaffed, as gangs have overtaken approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince. Compounding these issues, the mission’s funding has suffered due to a freeze imposed by the U.S., which significantly affects the mission’s operational capabilities, especially after President Trump’s suspension of foreign assistance.

The situation in Haiti remains dire as gang violence continues to escalate, leading to widespread displacement. The search for the missing Kenyan officer highlights the ongoing dangers faced by security forces in the area. Furthermore, the operational challenges faced by the Kenya-led mission, compounded by funding issues, call for urgent reassessment to enhance the protection and efficacy of their efforts.

Original Source: www.newsday.com