Another Kenyan police officer who is part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti was reportedly killed during a confrontation with gang members.
The Kenyan officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was shot dead by gang members on Tuesday, March 25, during an operation in the Lower Artibonite region, which is located 92 kilometres north of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince.
During the tragedy, three armored vehicles belonging to the peacekeepers were also set on fire by armed gangs, creating a situation of panic among the officers.
While confirming the reports, Kenyan Police Spokesperson in Haiti, Jack Ombaka, revealed that the incident occurred after the vehicles got stuck in a ditch, suspected to have been deliberately dug by the gangs.
In response, two MSS Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles from Pont-Sonde, which is located in central Haiti, were dispatched to assist in the recovery.
"Unfortunately, during the recovery operation, one of the MRAPs also got stuck, while the other developed a mechanical issue," Ombaka told press members.
According to him, it was during an attempt to repair the armoured vehicles that the gang members launched an attack on the Kenyan police officers.
Following the incident, the gang members took away the deceased's body, which is currently in their custody despite attempts by the peacekeepers to retrieve it.
"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 noted.
As per the spokesperson, specialised teams have been deployed to conduct a search and determine the whereabouts of the police officer.
The latest development comes on the back of a similar incident in which a 26-year-old Police Constable, Samuel Kitwai, was shot dead by armed gangs in the Caribbean nation.
Addressing the press on February 24, MSS Police Commander Godfrey Otunge revealed that Kitwai was shot in Artibonite during an anti-gang operation and was immediately rushed to the hospital.
However, due to the extent of the gunshot wound, the police constable passed away while receiving treatment in one of the hospitals in Haiti. Kitwai became the first casualty of the Kenyan-led mission.
