The body of a police officer who was shot dead in Haiti has arrived in the country after it was airlifted from the gang-infested Caribbean country.
The body of the late Samuel Kaetuai was received at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli who transferred it to Chiromo Mortuary for preservation awaiting burial in Kajiado County.
“The Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, this evening, March 10, 2025, received the body of the late Police Officer Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA),” a statement from the National Police Service read.
“The body was later transferred to Chiromo Mortuary for preservation, with burial arrangements set for a later date.”
Sombre mood
During the sombre airport visit, senior police officers including the border patrol unit’s commandant James Kamau, Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police, Director of Medical Services Administration Police Service (APS) Lilian Kanini and Police Spokesman Muchiri Nyaga were present.
Also present on the airport tarmac were the late officer’s father Kaetuai Salaash, family members and Kajiado senator Peris Tobiko.
The 28-year-old police officer sustained gunshot wounds on February 23, 2025, during an attack at Artibonite region, north of the capital Port au Prince and was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on March 3, 2025, visited the family in Naserian village, Kajiado East to condole with them after the tragic news emerged that the officer had succumbed to his injuries.
Decent sendoff
Kanja mourned Samuel Kaetuai as a gallant officer who died in battle, assuring the family of the government’s assistance to accord him a proper sendoff.
“We have come here to condole with the family of Kaetuai. We have lost a young man who had sacrificed himself for the sake of global peace. He died while helping restore peace in Haiti and protecting the people’s rights,” Kanja said.
Kaetuai became the first casualty of the 600 police officers sent to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti to succumb to injuries sustained during a battle with gang members in the country.
He had joined the police service in 2021 and was the breadwinner of his family at the time of his death according to his brother Amos Kaetuai.
“We are very saddened by the loss of my brother. He was the only one who had a pay slip in this family, it is unfortunate that we have lost a helper,” he said.