The multinational peacekeeping mission in Haiti Wednesday confirmed that a Kenyan police officer within its ranks is missing following skirmishes with gunmen in the gang-infested Caribbean nation.
The Multi Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS) put out a statement saying the unnamed officer was apparently kidnapped in an ambush by suspected gang members lying in wait as they were helping a national police vehicle which was stuck in mud on Tuesday.
Led by Kenya, the multinational security mission was deployed in Haiti in January to help restore law and order in Haiti, a country awash with gang warfare against the state, a situation which also endangers the lives of civilians.
To search for the missing police officer, MSS teams have been deployed in and around the town of Pont-Sondé, where the incident took place.
The Kenyan National Police said they have been informed about the missing officer.
The apparent kidnap comes a month after one Kenyan police peacekeeper was killed during a skirmish with gangs in the capital Port-au-Prince.
Another Kenyan police was shot and wounded, sparking fears over the safety of the contingent in a country overran by Haitian gang violence since 2018.
WN/as/APA