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A mechanical failure during a recovery operation in Haiti led to a crash that killed a Kenyan officer and a civilian and injured eight others, underscoring the risks facing the Kenyan-led mission to restore order in the gang-plagued country.
Nairobi, Kenya – A Kenyan officer serving with the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti and a civilian lost their lives after two armoured vehicles were involved in a fatal crash on the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road near Port-au-Prince.
According to mission officials, the vehicles were engaged in a recovery operation when mechanical failure caused the towing vehicle to lose control. The resulting accident left eight other MSS personnel injured, three of them critically. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Pétion-Ville, with the most severe cases evacuated to the Dominican Republic for specialist treatment.
MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka confirmed that the Kenyan officer and the civilian were pronounced dead shortly after arrival at hospital. He conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and stressed that the mission would continue supporting its personnel during this difficult period.
“This tragic accident is a reminder of the risks our officers face daily as they work to stabilise Haiti,” Ombaka said, reaffirming the mission’s commitment to both its mandate and the welfare of its members.
The crash highlights the dangers surrounding the Kenyan-led MSS mission, which has been assisting Haitian authorities in efforts to restore order amid rampant gang violence and political instability.
Earlier this year, other MSS contingents came under ambushes that led to deaths and injuries, further underscoring the precarious security environment in which peacekeepers operate.
The United Nations reports that since October 2024, more than 1,000 people have been killed in Haiti’s Artibonite and Central departments, with hundreds more injured or kidnapped in escalating gang-related violence.
Kenyan and international officials have pledged continued support for the mission despite the risks. Authorities are reviewing safety protocols for vehicle operations, particularly in difficult terrain, to prevent similar tragedies.
Kenya has also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that injured officers receive the highest level of medical care while continuing to back Haiti’s fragile path toward stability.
