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A Kenyan officer serving with the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti died on Sunday, Feb. 23, after being shot during a joint operation with the Haitian National Police (PNH).
The operation took place in the Artibonite department, in the Pont-Sondé area near Saint-Marc, approximately 100 kilometers from Port-au-Prince. The MSS confirmed that the officer was wounded and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. His identity has not yet been disclosed.
This is the first death of an MSS officer since the mission was deployed in June 2024 to assist Haiti in combatting armed gangs, which control nearly 80% of the capital.
The mission, led by Kenya under a United Nations-backed initiative, has been working alongside the Haitian police to restore security in areas dominated by gangs. The officer was reportedly shot during an operation targeting the Savien gang, which has been linked to kidnappings, extortion, and violent attacks in the region.
The MSS stated that efforts were made to evacuate the wounded officer by air, but he did not survive. MSS commander Godfrey Otunge confirmed the death and expressed condolences to the officer’s family and colleagues.
Haitian authorities have yet to comment on the officer’s death, but the incident is likely to intensify discussions about the mission’s role and risks.
As security operations continue, the situation in Haiti remains tense, with both the MSS and PNH facing strong resistance from well-armed gangs.
