The disappearance of a Kenyan police officer in Haiti has intensified concerns about the growing strength of armed gangs and the escalating dangers faced by the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission.
The officer went missing after an ambush in Pont-Sonde, where gangs attacked security forces responding to a stalled Haitian National Police (HNP) armored vehicle. The MSS suspects the ditch that trapped the vehicle was deliberately created as a trap, signaling a more organized and tactical approach by gang members.
Kenyan Police Spokesperson in Haiti, Jack Ombaka, confirmed the devastating incident, revealing that a specialized team has been deployed to search for the officer’s remains. “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 stated.
As peacekeeping forces scramble to locate the missing officer, the attack highlights a broader issue whether international forces deployed to Haiti are adequately equipped to handle the evolving threat posed by criminal networks. This latest incident adds to the growing list of security failures, raising concerns over the effectiveness and sustainability of the MSS mission in restoring order in the violence-ridden nation.
With local media claiming the officer was killed and disturbing footage circulating online, pressure is mounting on Kenyan and international authorities to reassess their approach to Haiti’s spiraling security crisis.
