The body of late Police Officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, who lost his life while serving on a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, arrived in Nairobi on Monday evening.

A team of officers, led by Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, welcomed his remains with full honors at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

Several dignitaries, family members, and friends gathered at the airport to pay their respects. Among them was nominated Senator Peris Tobiko.

Also present was the late officer’s father, Salaash Kaetuai, who led the grieving family. Their presence reflected the deep sorrow and respect for Officer Kaetuai’s service and sacrifice.

After the solemn reception, authorities transferred the officer’s body to Chiromo Mortuary for preservation as burial preparations continued.

Officials are expected to announce the burial date in the coming days, allowing time for final arrangements and for loved ones to gather.

Service and sacrifice

Officer Kaetuai lost his life at the hands of armed gangs while carrying out a peacekeeping operation in Haiti.

The Multinational Security Support Mission confirmed his tragic death in late February through a statement on social media platform X.

According to their report, he sustained fatal injuries while on duty. The National Police Service later provided additional details.

It explained that suspected gang members had opened fire on the officer during an operation. Despite immediate efforts to rush him to the hospital, his injuries proved fatal.

Kenya’s Foreign Ministry Principal Secretary, Korir Sing’Oei, expressed deep sorrow over the loss. In a heartfelt message on X, he shared that he was “heartbroken by the loss of a member of Kenya’s deployment.”

Officers still in Haiti

Meanwhile, Haiti continues to struggle with escalating gang violence. In February, the peacekeeping mission faced uncertainty when the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s directive, temporarily suspended international funding.

However, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later issued a waiver, ensuring that the mission could continue its work.

The violence in Haiti has reached alarming levels. According to a United Nations report, at least 5,601 people lost their lives in gang-related incidents last year—an increase of 1,000 compared to 2023.

Additionally, the UN documented 315 lynchings of suspected gang members and 281 alleged summary executions by police.

This ongoing crisis has forced over a million Haitians to flee their homes, as reported by the UN’s migration agency.

As Kenya mourns the loss of Officer Kaetuai, his bravery and dedication to peacekeeping will not be forgotten.

His sacrifice stands as a solemn reminder of the risks that officers face while striving to bring stability to troubled regions.

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