Kenscoff, a quiet mountainous suburb southeast of Port-au-Prince, is increasingly proving perilous for Kenyan officers deployed to Haiti under the multinational peacekeeping mission.
On Sunday, three Haitian soldiers succumbed to injuries sustained during an ambush by gangs while on a joint security patrol with local and Kenyan officers under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS).
According to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office of the Republic of Haiti, the three soldiers succumbed following the ambush during the patrol, amid reports that four others were injured in the ambush and their status remains unknown.
''It is with deep sadness and deep emotion that the Government of the Republic announces the loss of three of our valiant soldiers, who fell this Sunday in Kenscoff in the exercise of their sacred duty. On the front lines, they faced danger with courage, determination, and honour. They fell as heroes, defending the homeland they swore to protect," the statement read in part.
"These soldiers are not just members of our forces. They are worthy sons of the nation, defenders of our sovereignty, whose ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. Their commitment is a powerful reminder that freedom and security come at a price and that this price is sometimes paid in the blood of our bravest.''
Soon after the ambush, Kenyan officers and their Haitian counterparts from the Haitian National Police (PNH) launched a manhunt for the gangs, leaving many of them with injuries.
Videos circulating on social media showed soldiers in camouflage pulling bodies out of the truck as reinforcements from the Kenyan officers and the PNH used drones and other advanced equipment to go after the gangs.
The area of Kenscoff has been under fierce shooting in recent days as Haitian law enforcement has warred with the gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm.
This has been the latest flare-up as Haitian authorities and the Kenyan officers scramble to rein in gang warfare in the Caribbean nation.
A Kenyan officer, whose identity remains undisclosed, was hit 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 armoured vehicles belonging to the peacekeepers were also set ablaze by gangs, creating a situation of panic among the officers.
Later, the Presidential Transitional Council (PTC) of Haiti identified the Kenyan police officer who was allegedly neutralized by the Caribbean gang as Benedict Kabiru.
