Port-au-Prince, Haiti – March 27, 2025

A Kenyan officer serving in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has been reported missing following an attack by armed gangs, the MSS confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the MSS, the incident occurred while the peacekeeping forces were assisting a Haitian National Police (HNP) vehicle that had become stuck in a ditch, suspected to have been deliberately dug by gangs to hinder security operations. Armed gang members ambushed the MSS forces during the rescue effort, leading to a confrontation in which one of the Kenyan officers was separated from his unit and went missing.

Haitian authorities and MSS forces have since launched a search operation to locate the missing officer. However, the growing influence of armed groups in Haiti, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has complicated security efforts. Gang violence has escalated significantly in recent months, leading to widespread instability, mass displacements, and a surge in kidnappings.

Kenya leads the MSS mission, a United Nations-backed international security effort aimed at restoring order in Haiti and supporting the country’s police force. The deployment, which began earlier this year, was met with both hope and skepticism, as Haiti struggles with deeply rooted security challenges.

The attack underscores the dangers facing Kenyan and other MSS personnel as they attempt to stabilize the Caribbean nation. The Kenyan government has not yet issued a public statement on the missing officer, but sources indicate that high-level security discussions are ongoing.

Pan-African observers have noted that the Kenyan-led mission in Haiti represents a historic commitment by an African nation to international peacekeeping outside the continent. However, the latest developments raise questions about the risks and the overall strategy for ensuring Haiti’s long-term stability.

This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more details emerge.