Body of Kenyan Officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai Returns Home from Haiti

The body of Kenyan police officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, killed in Haiti, returned to Nairobi for burial. He was shot on February 23 as part of a U.N.-backed mission against gangs, where Kenya leads a contingent of around 800 police. Concerns about mission resources and safety remain, prompting calls for a U.N. peacekeeping operation as gang violence intensifies in Haiti.

The body of Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, a Kenyan police officer who died while serving in Haiti’s U.N.-supported mission against violent gangs, has returned to Kenya. His family and senior police officials welcomed his remains on Monday night in Nairobi. Kaetuai was fatally shot on February 23, marking him as the first Kenyan casualty in this ongoing mission, which commenced in June.

Currently, a contingent of approximately 800 Kenyan police officers is leading the multinational mission, which includes personnel from Jamaica, Guatemala, and El Salvador, collaborating with Haiti’s National Police. However, the exact date for Kaetuai’s funeral has not yet been disclosed.

Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, referred to the officer’s death as “a great loss” and rejected claims that Kenyan officers were inadequately equipped for the challenges posed by gangs in Haiti. He emphasized that Kenyan officers are “well-trained for the mission” and that their safety is a primary concern.

Despite this, there are ongoing concerns regarding the mission’s effectiveness, as both Haiti and the U.S. have previously noted shortcomings in personnel and resources, advocating for a U.N. peacekeeping operation to take over. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has indicated intentions to seek U.N. funding for the logistical needs of the multinational force.

Gang violence in Haiti has resulted in over 5,600 deaths last year alone, with more than 1 million individuals displaced from their homes, according to U.N. reports.

The return of Officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai’s body highlights the dangers faced by Kenyan police in the ongoing mission in Haiti. As the first Kenyan fatality, his death has ignited discussions regarding the mission’s preparedness and the safety of officers deployed. Despite assurances about their training, ongoing violence and resource limitations pose significant challenges for the mission’s success.

Original Source: www.newsday.com