The family of Benedict Kabiru, a Kenyan police officer who went missing in Haiti during an ambush attack in March this year, is now demanding answers after President William Ruto revealed that Kabiru was among three Kenyan officers who died in the Caribbean nation.
Speaking during a high-level meeting in New York, the United States, Ruto disclosed that Samuel Tompoi, Benedict Kabiru and Kennedy Nzuve died in the line of duty in Haiti.
Kabiru's mother, Jecinta Kabiru, while in shock, wailed as she heard the Head of State confirm the death of her son, who had been missing for over six months.
In tears, Jecinta questioned the government's motive behind the hope given to her by top security officials in Kenya that the search for her son was still ongoing.
Speaking to a Citizen TV journalist on Tuesday, September 23, Kabiru's mother called on the government to bring Kabiru's remains back to Kenya for burial.
"Why are they torturing me? They have tortured me all that long, knowing the truth because I know the President cannot say something that has not been confirmed," said Jecinta.
"I want to urge them to bring the remains of my son so that I can do what is necessary because I can't believe it until I see his body that he is no more," Kabiru's mother added.
The family, who had previously sued the government for failing to provide information about their kin, have defended the move and are now demanding to know exactly when Kabiru died.
Ambush Attack
Details of Kabiru's disappearance first emerged on March 25 this year, after the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission spokesperson, Jack Ombaka, revealed that Kabiru went missing after an ambush attack during an anti-gang operation.
Kabiru was in the company of other officers when their armed vehicle was ambushed by gangs after it got stuck in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by the gangs.
According to Ombaka, it was during the recovery of the vehicle that Kabiru and his colleagues were attacked. However, while the others managed to escape with injuries, the gang took away Kabiru.
As per the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, specialised security teams in Haiti were immediately dispatched to find Kabiru body.
