Family of Kenyan police officer missing in Haiti demands answers

The family of Benedict Kabiru, a Kenyan police officer who disappeared in March while taking part in the Multi-National Security Support mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, has written to Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, demanding an official statement on whether he is alive or dead.

The family has issued a 30-day ultimatum to the government to explain his whereabouts or face court action, accusing authorities of silence and conflicting information from Haiti.

"We have requested a written, unconditional response because this so-called search mission has turned into a daily routine statement," Mbuthi Gathenji, the family lawyer, stated. 

The family said the Attorney General has 30 days to respond, failure to which they will move to court seeking orders compelling the government to disclose Kabiru’s whereabouts. They say they are tired of official rhetoric and want clear answers.

"We want direct confirmation from Haiti itself. This daily narrative about an ongoing search is exhausting," the lawyer added.

Kabiru disappeared days after another Kenyan police officer, Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, was killed in Haiti after being attacked by criminal gangs. 

Kabiru went missing four months before he was due to return home, with Kenyan police having now served in Haiti for over ten months as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, fighting violent gangs that control large parts of the country, including Port-au-Prince.