Two Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti have been seriously injured in clashes with gangs over the past week, three officers told the Newsmen. The injuries add to the growing list of casualties as the mission faces increasingly frequent attacks.
Kenya first deployed officers in June to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which currently has around 1,000 security personnel—about three-quarters from Kenya. The mission aims to restore enough security for Haiti to hold elections by February 2026 but has faced morale issues and uncertainty about its expansion amid escalating gang violence.
The MSS suffered its first fatality in February, and another Kenyan officer was reported missing last week. The three officers, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said he was believed to be dead. The two injuries occurred during routine patrols in and around Port-au-Prince, where heavily armed gangs have controlled much of the capital since 2021. MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka confirmed that the injured officers had been evacuated to the Dominican Republic for medical treatment.
“As in any mission, casualties are sometimes unavoidable,” Ombaka said. The three officers reported that gang attacks are becoming more frequent and raised concerns over inadequate equipment. One officer was shot in the head after a bullet pierced his helmet, while another was hit in the ear when a gunshot penetrated an armored vehicle’s walls.
Following these incidents, 20 armored vehicles were grounded over the weekend after officers refused to use them, citing their failure to provide adequate protection. This is the second time such an issue has been reported, the officers said.
A senior MSS official confirmed that a delegation will travel to Washington this week to discuss concerns over the quality of protective gear with U.S. officials.
Reuters/Patience Ameh
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