Plans are underway to airlift the body of a Kenyan police officer, who died in Haiti following a road accident in the island’s capital city, Port-au-Prince, on Sunday.

The officer was part of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) when the tragedy occurred on Sunday, at about 5pm Haitian time.

National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the officer’s family has been notified of the development and that the MSS are working with authorities in Haiti to coordinate the process of flying his body back home.

“The National Police Service (NPS) received the tragic news early this morning of the death of a Kenyan police officer serving in the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti. The next of kin have been notified. The National Police Service extends its deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and relatives of the fallen officer and assures them of our unwavering support during this time of profound sorrow,” the NPS said in statement.

According to the MSS Spokesperson, Jack Ombaka, the officers were on a recovery operation involving two MaxxPro vehicles along the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road at Perlerin 9, when one developed mechanical problems while towing the other.

The MSS officer and a civilian involved in the accident were pronounced dead upon arrival at Lambert Santé Hospital in Pétion-Ville. Eight MSS officers were injured in the accident, too. 

Three of the eight officers, who sustained injuries are in the hospital are in critical condition and have been airlifted to the Dominican Republic for specialized care.   

MSS mission in Haiti is led by Kenya but involves officers from several countries, including Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Bangladesh, Chad, Jamaica, Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda. Meanwhile, countries like the United States, Canada, France, Spain, and Italy, provide financial and logistical support through a UN Trust Fund for Haiti.

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