NAIROBI – Kenyan officials deployed under Haiti’s Multinational Security Assistance (MSS) mission have remained unexplained after the gangs ambushed the rescue team in the Artibonite division, MSS spokesman Jack Onbaka confirmed in a statement.
The attack occurred around 4:30pm on Tuesday. Armored vehicles of the Haitian National Police (HNP) on patrol along the Carrefour Paisavien Main Supply Route were stuck in a ditch suspected to have been deliberately dug by a gang.
In response, two MSS Mine-resistant Ambush (MRAP) vehicles from Pontsondo were dispatched to assist in recovery. However, when one of the MRAPs was also stuck and the other suffered from mechanical impairment, the surgery went into order.
“It is suspected that a member of the waiting gangster began an ambush when the rescue team tried to resolve the situation,” Onbaka said.
The officers engaged in a shootout with the attackers. When the shooting stopped, they discovered that one MSS Kenya condition officer was missing.
“As a result of the incident, one MSS Kenya condition officer remains unmeasured. A specialist team is being deployed to conduct a search and determine where he is,” an MSS spokesperson confirmed.
Authorities believe that several gang members have been injured, although they have not provided specific details about the victim, some have been reported. Efforts are underway to secure an area and find missing officers.
The latest incident highlights the growing security risks facing Kenya-led MSS missions in Haiti. On March 18, a senior Kenyan police officer was shot dead in the head during surgery in the same area, leaving him in danger.
A month ago, on February 23rd, Officer Samuel Tompoy Ketoai was shot dead in the same area while on duty.
