President William Ruto on Friday led a sombre ceremony at the National Police College in Embakasi to honour police officers killed in the line of duty.
The President laid a wreath in memory of the fallen officers during the event attended by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
The tribute comes as Kenya reflects on the sacrifices made by its security forces in both domestic and international operations. At least three officers died during Kenya’s mission in Haiti, including Samuel Tomoi Kaetuai, Benedict Kabiru and Kennedy Nzuve.
“These men and women gave their lives so that Kenyans could sleep in peace. We owe them a debt we can never fully repay,” Ruto said in his address.
The ceremony also marked the commissioning of a new 780 capacity barracks at the college, part of a wider push to improve police accommodation.
Murkomen said the government was investing heavily in modernisation.
“In our ongoing modernisation of the National Police Service, we’re upgrading training, operational facilities and equipment, while improving personnel welfare,” Murkomen said.
Ruto also presided over the handover of the national flag to a contingent of officers preparing for deployment, though Kenya has now officially concluded its security mission in Haiti.
The final contingent of 150 police officers returned home on April 28, 2026, marking the end of Kenya’s 18 month leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission. About 730 Kenyan officers served in the Caribbean nation since the first deployment in June 2024.
Interior CS Murkomen and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja were in Port au Prince to oversee the final drawdown. The mission is now transitioning to a new Gang Suppression Force led by Chadian forces under UN Security Council Resolution 2793 of 2025.
Murkomen described the operation as a success, noting that Kenyan officers helped secure key infrastructure including the airport, seaport and major transport corridors, and contributed to a peaceful transfer of executive power in Haiti on February 7, 2026.
The ceremony coincided with the 59th Passing Out Parade of Administration Police Service recruits. Hundreds of new officers completed their training and formally joined the National Police Service.
One recruit, who asked not to be named, described the day as a dream come true.
“I joined the force to serve my country. This is the proudest day of my life,” the recruit said.
