Nairobi: The body of Samuel Kaetuai, a police officer who was shot dead in Haiti last week during a security operation, will be repatriated back to Kenya for burial. Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja confirmed that all preparations have been finalised and the body is expected to arrive in Kenya anytime this week.
According to Kenya News Agency, speaking in Naserian village, Kajiado East, when he visited Kaetuai’s family to condole with them, Kanja described the slain officer as a hero who died in the line of battle and assured his family of the government’s support as they mourn their loved one. The IG reiterated that the late officer would be given a befitting send-off and that the government would cover all burial expenses.
‘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,’ he said. The IG was accompanied by Eliud Lang’at, Deputy Inspector General (Kenya Police Service); Gilbert Masengeli, Deputy Inspector General (Administration Police Service); State House Controller Dr. Katoo Ole Metito; Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko; and other leaders.
Kaetuai, 28, was gunned down by suspected gang members on February 23, 2025, while on patrol in the Artibonite region, north of the capital Port-au-Prince. He is the first police officer reported to have lost his life in Haiti since the mission began. The officer who joined the police service in 2021 was among 600 Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti as part of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS).
Kaetuai Salaash, the slain officer’s father, mourned his son’s death, terming it as tragic and a big blow to the whole family. Salaash, who said he is still coming to terms with the loss, described his son as a caring and responsible man who took care of his whole family.