Haiti mission commander downplays challenges after officer’s death in road accident
By Lutta Njomo, September 6, 2025Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, has provided an update on the peacekeeping operation in the Caribbean nation.
Addressing a section of the press after returning to Kenya, Otunge noted that most officers are happy and have registered positive feedback on the progress made in restoring peace in a country that was on the verge of crumbling as gang violence engulfed Port-au-Prince and other areas.
Otunge told the local TV station that President William Ruto made a wise decision to authorise the deployment of Kenyan officers to Haiti.
“I can assure you that the decision of our president to decide that at least we go and support our African country in the Caribbean was a wise decision and as of today, we are very much happy and we are proud of what we have done,” Otunge stated after his arrival on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Plans to repatriate Nzuve’s body
At the same time, the MSS force commander Godfrey Otunge confirmed plans to repatriate the body of Corporal Kennedy Mutuku Nzuve, a member of the National Police Service’s Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU).
The officer died following a crash along the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road at Perlerin 9 and was pronounced dead at Lambert Santé Hospital in Pétion-Ville.
Otunge further confirmed that the officers are still searching for their colleague Benedict Kabiru Kuria, who went missing in March 2025 after a gang attack.
“The second officer died on Sunday. We had a road accident and he died as a result of that accident. He is called Corporal Kennedy Nzuve, and we are preparing on how to bring his body back home,” Otunge stated.
Teething problems
Despite stating that the officers were pleased with the mission’s progress, Otunge noted that they are still facing teething problems.
“As it is, we have teething problems that are being addressed by the donors,” Otunge said.
His sentiments came a week after UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Security Council that the situation in Haiti was being shamelessly overlooked.
Guterres challenged the donors to act fast before it is too late.
“The people of Haiti are in a perfect storm of suffering. State authority is crumbling as gang violence engulfs Port-au-Prince and spreads beyond — paralysing daily life and forcing families to flee. Civilians are under siege with appalling reports of rape and sexual violence. Hospitals and schools are under repeated attack. The rule of law has collapsed,” the UN Secretary General stated.
“The humanitarian toll is staggering: 1.3 million people — half of them children — have fled their homes. Six million people need humanitarian assistance. Haiti is now among the five global hunger hotspots of “highest concern”. Aid workers, especially local responders, are being targeted — facing threats of violence, extortion and kidnapping.”