Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino is now pushing the government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to update the country on the status of Kenyan security officers taking part in the Multi-National Security Support mission in Haiti.
In a video shared on X on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the lawmaker expressed concern over the safety of the officer, claiming that there were serious risks in Haiti.
Babu Owino, who was speaking during a committee hearing, went on to state that some family members are concerned about the safety of their kin who are part of the Multi-National Security Support mission in Haiti.
“On the Haiti issue, we are well informed that there is a lot happening in Haiti, even a family was coming out to ask the status of some of their family members who are there, and we are told that there are serious risks that our officers are going through,” Babu Owino stated.
Their payment
With the risks involved in the mission, the vocal lawmaker also demanded answers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, regarding the officers’ payment.
He implored Musalia to make it clear how much the officers will pocket after completing the mission.
“I am well informed that if you go to Haiti, you will either come back in a coffin or you come back with a coffin full of money. I want to know, if these officers come back with a coffin full of money, how much are they going to get,” Babu Owino said.
Missing officer
Babu Owino’s demands come at a time when the family of Benedict Kabiru, a Kenyan police officer who disappeared in March 2025, while taking part in the Multi-National Security Support mission in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, continues to seek answers.
Recently, the family wrote to Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, demanding an official statement on whether he is alive or dead.
They further issued a 30-day ultimatum to the government to explain his whereabouts or face court action, accusing authorities of silence and conflicting information from Haiti.
“We have requested a written, unconditional response because this so-called search mission has turned into a daily routine statement,” Mbuthi Gathenji, the family lawyer, stated.
“We want direct confirmation from Haiti itself. This daily narrative about an ongoing search is exhausting,” the lawyer added.
Situation in Haiti
According to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), at least 1,617 people were killed and 580 others injured in violence involving gangs, self-defence groups, or other members of the population, as well as during security force operations between January 1 and March 31, 2025.
This period saw a surge in criminal group activity aimed at expanding territorial control in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas. Aiming at destabilising Pétion-Ville, the communes of Delmas and Kenscoff were particularly targeted. In the Centre department, gangs attacked Mirebalais and Saut d’Eau to control roads to the Dominican Republic and facilitate the escape of over 515 inmates from Mirebalais prison.
“The situation in Haiti is becoming increasingly critical. Every day, deportations and gang violence worsen an already fragile situation,” Amy Pope, International Organization for Migration, Director General, stated.
Despite the challenges and risks, the MSS mission has made the protection of Haiti’s critical national infrastructure a top priority.
