A Kenyan police officer serving under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has died in a tragic road accident that also claimed the life of a civilian. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 31, 2025, along the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road at Perlerin 9, a mountaintop stretch above Port-au-Prince.
According to official reports, the accident involved two MaxxPro armored vehicles that were engaged in a recovery operation. One of the vehicles was towing the other when it developed mechanical problems, leading to a fatal crash that also affected nearby civilians. Both the officer and the civilian were pronounced dead shortly after arrival at Lambert Santé Hospital in Pétion-Ville.
Eight other MSS officers sustained injuries, with three said to be in critical condition. They were initially treated at the Aspen Level 2 Hospital at the LSA 2 medical facility. Arrangements were later made to airlift the critically injured to the Dominican Republic for specialized treatment.
The MSS command expressed deep condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as solidarity with the injured officers. The mission leadership reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of its personnel, acknowledging the risks they face while working in Haiti’s volatile environment.
The accident highlights the challenges of operating in difficult terrain and under strenuous conditions as MSS forces continue their mandate to help restore peace and stability in Haiti. The mission was approved by the United Nations Security Council in October 2023 and is led by Kenya, with contributions from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad.
Beyond troop deployment, the mission is supported financially and logistically by several international partners, including the United States, Canada, France, Spain, and Italy, through a UN Trust Fund for Haiti. Its goal is to assist the Haitian government in addressing gang violence and deepening insecurity that has plagued the nation since 2018.
As investigations into the accident continue, the loss serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by international peace and security forces. It also underscores the need for continued international cooperation to stabilize Haiti, while ensuring the safety of those risking their lives to restore law and order.
