Kenyan Officer Killed, Eight Injured in MSS Vehicle Accident in Haiti
Eight police officers serving with the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti were injured in a road accident on Sunday, resulting in the death of one Kenyan officer.
The incident took place around 5 p.m. during a recovery operation involving two MaxxPro armored vehicles. According to MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka, one vehicle was towing the other when mechanical failure occurred, leading to the crash.
The injured officers and civilians were transported to Lambert Santé Hospital in Pétion-Ville. Despite medical efforts, the Kenyan officer and one civilian succumbed to their injuries.
“Eight MSS officers sustained injuries; three are in critical condition and require medical evacuation to the Dominican Republic for specialized treatment following initial care at Aspen Level 2 Hospital at LSA 2,” Ombaka stated. He also extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that the MSS, in coordination with the Haitian National Police (HNP), is arranging for the repatriation of the Kenyan officer’s remains and ensuring ongoing medical care for the wounded personnel. The officer’s next of kin have been informed.
The MSS, led by Kenya, was deployed to Haiti over a year ago amid escalating violence and instability. The capital, Port-au-Prince, remains largely under the control of armed gangs. Although the mission initially planned to deploy 2,500 officers, only about 1,000 from six countries have been sent, including over 700 from Kenya.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently highlighted in a letter that Haiti continues to be “shamefully overlooked and woefully underfunded,” noting that the MSS lacks sufficient resources and capacity to address the growing security challenges effectively.
Haiti’s political crisis has deepened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Following Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation in 2024, a presidential transition council assumed control, pledging to hold elections before its mandate ends in February 2026.
According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 3,141 people have been killed in Haiti during the first half of 2024, underscoring the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis.
