Kenyan Police Officer Killed in Haiti During MSS Operation

Kenyan police officers patrol in Haiti

A Kenyan police officer serving in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has died after sustaining injuries during an operation on Sunday, February 23.

According to an official MSS report, the officer, attached to the Artibonite department, was wounded during an operation in Ségur-Savien. He was airlifted to Aspen Hospital, a Level-2 medical facility, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

"Today, Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, one of our MSS officers from the Kenyan contingent was injured during an operation in Ségur-Savien, in the Artibonite department. The officer was immediately airlifted to Aspen Level-2 Hospital but, unfortunately, succumbed to the injuries," the MSS statement read.

Earlier reports had indicated that the officer was injured during an operation at Pont Sonde and was receiving treatment. His death comes amid growing security concerns over the deployment of Kenyan police officers in Haiti, where gang violence remains rampant.

MSS Denies Reports of Additional Casualties

The fatality follows recent reports that MSS officers had been killed by Haitian gangs—a claim the mission has strongly refuted. On February 21, the MSS dismissed the allegations, labeling them as "malicious propaganda."

"The propagandists started spreading false information that MSS had lost soldiers in Kenscoff. I want to reiterate that MSS has not lost any personnel in any gang confrontation in Kenscoff," read the statement.

The mission also rejected claims that friendly fire between MSS officers and Haiti National Police (PNH) personnel had resulted in further casualties, asserting that the two forces are well-trained and operate in coordination.

Uncertainty Over Mission Funding

The Kenyan-led mission has faced scrutiny after reports emerged that the United States had withheld some of its pledged funding. However, both the U.S. government and Kenyan officials have denied these concerns, affirming that sufficient financial resources are available to sustain the mission.

Despite logistical and security challenges, the MSS remains committed to stabilizing Haiti and combating the escalating gang violence that has plagued the Caribbean nation.