Body of Kenyan Officer Killed in Haiti Returns Home

The body of Kenyan police officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who was killed during a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, returned to Kenya on March 10. Tompoi, the first Kenyan casualty in the multinational mission, died from injuries sustained during an operation against gangs in the Artibonite region on February 23. His remains were received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport with honors, attended by police officials and family members. The National Police Service and the Kenyan Foreign Ministry expressed their condolences, highlighting the significant loss to the country. The ongoing mission, which began in June 2024, aims to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti, where the UN reported over 5,600 killings last year alone. Despite previous funding uncertainties, the US has reinstated support for the mission, which continues to face challenges in addressing the violence plaguing Haiti.