Three Soldiers Killed in Kenscoff as Gangs Launch Deadly Ambush on Joint Patrol With Kenyan Police
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
A tragic ambush in Kenscoff, a mountainous suburb southeast of Haiti’s capital, has left three Haitian soldiers dead and several others injured during a joint patrol with Kenyan peacekeeping officers. The attack underscores the escalating threat posed by armed gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation.
The victims were part of a coordinated security patrol under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), which includes Kenya's deployment to restore stability in Haiti. According to the Prime Minister’s Office of Haiti, the soldiers died defending their nation with “courage, determination, and honour.”
Kenyan Police Face Growing Dangers in Haiti Deployment
In a statement issued Sunday evening, the Haitian government expressed profound grief over the loss of its troops. “These brave souls stood on the front lines to protect our sovereignty. Their sacrifice is a sobering reminder of the price of freedom,” the statement read.
Authorities also confirmed that at least four other individuals sustained injuries during the ambush. Their current condition remains unknown, with security operations still ongoing in the area.
The attackers are believed to be part of the Viv Ansanm gang coalition, a powerful group that has clashed frequently with Haitian authorities in recent weeks. The Kenscoff area has seen an uptick in violence, with firefights erupting between law enforcement and criminal groups vying for control.
Search and Retaliation: Drones, Reinforcements Deployed
Shortly after the ambush, both Kenyan and Haitian forces initiated a counter-operation, deploying reinforcements and advanced surveillance tools including drones. Videos circulating on social media show the intensity of the aftermath, with soldiers retrieving bodies from destroyed vehicles.
Local residents reported hearing heavy gunfire throughout the night, further raising alarms about the worsening security landscape. Peacekeeping troops, including the Kenyan contingent, have been tasked with supporting Haiti’s national police in restoring law and order.
This is not the first time Kenyan officers have been targeted. In March, a Kenyan officer—later identified as Benedict Kabiru—was reportedly killed during operations in the Lower Artibonite region, about 92 kilometers north of the capital. The gangs also torched three armoured vehicles belonging to the peacekeepers during that incident.
Peacekeeping Under Fire: Growing Challenges Ahead
The recent attack adds to growing international concern over the safety of foreign personnel deployed in Haiti. While the MSS mission aims to quell the gang crisis and bolster local law enforcement, ongoing clashes highlight the deeply entrenched nature of organized crime.
Security experts warn that without stronger infrastructure and long-term political solutions, such missions may continue to suffer heavy losses.
As the search for the perpetrators continues in Kenscoff, the families of the fallen soldiers mourn their loss, and the global community watches closely, hoping for stability to return to a nation in turmoil.
