Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has mourned the death of a Kenyan officer killed while serving in Haiti, describing the loss as tragic but affirming that the mission remains a success.
Speaking during the Jukwaa La Usalama tour of Garissa County, Murkomen confirmed that the officer, initially reported missing before a search and rescue mission was launched, had died under “unfortunate circumstances.”
The officer lost his life in unfortunate circumstances. We condole with the family. I send our deepest sympathies to the family and assure them of our support following this loss,” Murkomen said, adding that further details would be released with the family’s permission.
He explained that a government team had been dispatched to the family at the same time President William Ruto was honouring the fallen officer alongside two of his colleagues in New York, attributing any communication gaps to differences in time zones.
Despite the tragedy, Murkomen maintained that the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) to Haiti has been a “huge success.” Many naysayers expected failure, but our men and women have helped to restore order.
The gangs are in hiding; for the first time after many years, Haitian children are sitting their national exams; the airport is functioning, communication masts are functioning, and the Government Square is operational,” he said.
The CS emphasized that the deployment had been endorsed through the proper channels, including the National Security Council and Parliament, under the leadership of President Ruto. He hailed Kenya’s long-standing role in global peace efforts, citing past contributions in Namibia, South Sudan, Kosovo, and East Timor.“
Kenya has shown the world that Haiti can indeed be liberated. This is something we should be very proud of. Indeed, if all the pledges by the international community were kept, the success would even have been greater,” Murkomen noted.
The interior CS further stated that the experience gained by Kenyan security officers in Haiti would strengthen the country’s capacity in managing its own security challenges.
The officer’s death brings to three the number of Kenyans killed while serving in Haiti under the MSSM, a mission that has faced both risks and triumphs as it seeks to stabilize the Caribbean nation plagued by gang violence.