The National Police Service (NPS) has officially confirmed the death of Benedict Kabiru, a Kenyan police officer who was killed in Haiti earlier this year. Kabiru’s family was informed of his death during a visit by senior NPS officials to their home in Kiambu County on Wednesday evening.
Reports of Kabiru’s death first emerged in March, following an ambush by armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, during a mission under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) initiative. At that time, the NPS had dismissed the reports, stating that Kabiru was merely missing. However, during the recent visit, officials confirmed that he had been killed in the line of duty.
Despite this confirmation, Kabiru’s body has not been recovered. The family expressed their distress over the prolonged uncertainty regarding his whereabouts. His uncle, Daniel Kabiru, stated that eight senior officers had previously visited their home and provided the confirmation of his death.
This development follows a court case filed by Kabiru’s family, seeking clarity from the government about his status. During a court session, the Attorney General’s office claimed it was not informed of Kabiru’s death, contradicting statements made by President William Ruto. In a speech at a United Nations Council meeting on September 22, President Ruto honored Kabiru, along with two other officers, for their service and sacrifice in Haiti. The family has questioned the discrepancy between the government’s public acknowledgment and the lack of direct communication with them.
The family’s legal representatives argue that the government’s failure to provide timely information has caused unnecessary distress. They contend that the President’s public statement should have been followed by official communication to the family.
As of now, efforts to locate and repatriate Kabiru’s remains continue. The NPS has pledged to work closely with Haitian authorities to facilitate the recovery process. The family remains hopeful that Kabiru’s body will be returned to Kenya for a proper burial, allowing them to honor his memory and service.
IMAGE : THE STANDARD
