Fallen Kenyan officer honored in Haiti memorial service

Haitian authorities and residents gathered in the Artibonite region to pay tribute to Kenyan police officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who was killed during an operation against armed groups on February 23, 2025.

The memorial service was held at Saint Jerome Parish in Petite Rivière de l’Artibonite on Tuesday, where locals, students, and police officials joined in mourning his death

Father Wilder Jean-Baptiste led the Mass, offering prayers for the fallen officer.

During the ceremony, Venson François, the head of the Saint-Marc prosecutor’s office, delivered a condolence message on behalf of Haiti National Police (PNH) Director General Normil Rameau.

He called on residents to support law enforcement officers in their efforts to combat criminal gangs.

Philip Shiuma Wachiya, the head of the Kenyan police contingent in Artibonite, spoke on behalf of Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission Force Commander Godfrey Otunge.

He praised Kaetuai’s commitment and sacrifice, assuring that Kenyan officers would continue their mission to restore stability in Haiti.

Residents attending the service expressed their support for security forces, urging them to intensify operations against gangs responsible for destabilizing the region.

Officers stationed at Pont-Sondé were also acknowledged for their role in maintaining order despite ongoing threats.

Kaetuai’s body was flown back to Kenya on March 10, 2025, arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 9:30 pm.

His remains were received by Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, alongside Kaetuai’s father, Salaash Kaetuai, and his wife. The body was then taken to Chiromo Mortuary for preservation as burial arrangements continued.

An autopsy conducted at Chiromo Funeral Parlour confirmed that Kaetuai died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The pathologist reported that excessive bleeding from the injury led to his death.

Kaetuai was shot during an operation in Western Artibonite, about 92 kilometers north of Port-au-Prince, where Kenyan officers were engaging armed groups. He was airlifted to a hospital in Haiti but did not survive.

Following his death, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and other senior officers visited Kaetuai’s family in Naserian Village, Kajiado County, to offer condolences.

Meanwhile, Kenyan-led MSS forces continue operations in Haiti, despite facing logistical challenges. Kaetuai’s death marks the first casualty among Kenyan officers in the mission.

In a related development, the National Treasury has allocated an additional Sh6.3 billion to enhance Kenya’s security operations in Haiti. According to a supplementary budget report, the overall budget for the National Police Service for the financial year ending June 2025 has been increased from Sh108.68 billion to Sh114.97 billion.

“The approved estimates have been revised... reflecting a net increase of Sh6.3 billion on account of the multi-national security support mission to Haiti, enhanced security operations, and maintenance and upgrade of systems under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations,” the Treasury stated.

Kenyan officers were deployed to Haiti in June 2024 to help restore order as criminal gangs took control of large parts of Port-au-Prince and rural areas.