Benedict Kabiru’s family has been left in shock and anguish after President William Ruto disclosed that the police officer, who had gone missing in Haiti during a March ambush, was among three Kenyan officers who lost their lives in the troubled Caribbean nation.
While speaking at a high-level meeting in New York, Ruto confirmed that officers Samuel Tompoi, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve had died in the line of duty, ending months of speculation and uncertainty surrounding their whereabouts.
The revelation shattered the hopes of Kabiru’s mother, Jecinta Kabiru, who wept uncontrollably after learning from the Head of State that her son, missing for over six months, would never return home alive.
Family of Missing Policeman Kabiru Wants Answers on Haiti Death. Photo: Courtesy.
Through tears, Jecinta lamented the conflicting information she had received from senior security officials in Kenya.
She accused them of giving her false reassurance that the search for her son was ongoing and that he could still be found.
Kabiru’s mother called on the government to bring Kabiru’s remains back to Kenya for burial.
The family, who had previously sued the government for failing to provide information about their kin, have defended the move and are now demanding to know exactly when Kabiru died.
Details of Benedict Kabiru’s disappearance emerged on March 25, when MSS mission spokesperson Jack Ombaka revealed that the officer went missing after an ambush during an anti-gang operation.
Kabiru was with fellow officers when their armoured vehicle got stuck in a ditch believed to have been dug by gangs. As they tried to recover it, they were ambushed, and while the others escaped with injuries, Kabiru was captured.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja later confirmed that specialised teams were dispatched in Haiti to trace Kabiru, with efforts focused on locating his body after fears of his death grew.
