Senators demand full disclosure on Haiti mission as questions mount over missing officer

Senators have demanded a comprehensive explanation of Kenya’s Haiti peace support mission, raising concerns over missing personnel, disputed death reports and the welfare of officers returning from the high-risk deployment.

Nominated Senator Hamida Kibwana sparked the debate after calling for urgent answers on unresolved cases linked to the mission.

In particular, she sought to know the fate of Officer Benedict Kabiru Kuria, whose body has not been recovered.

“While Benedict Kabiru Kuria has been recognised as a fallen hero abroad, his family is without his remains or verified information on his fate. This lack of closure is deeply distressing and demands urgent accountability.”

She told the House that, even though the mission is considered concluded, families of affected officers continue to suffer emotional distress due to a lack of clarity and delayed communication.

“Recognition without clarity only compounds their grief,” she added, calling for a full accounting of all deployed personnel and their current status.

Senators now want the House’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee to inquire into and provide a report on the circumstances surrounding Kabiru’s death and facilitate the repatriation of his remains to his family.

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo questioned the government’s transparency in deploying officers to Haiti, saying there were gaps in briefing and disclosure before the mission commenced.

“The mission to Haiti has a lot of unanswered questions. We were not given full disclosure as to exactly what the officers were going to go through,” Maanzo said.

He further claimed that at least one other officer died along the Kenya border in Katua, between Makueni and Machakos counties, while another was reportedly deported under unclear circumstances.

Maanzo also raised concerns about the operational conditions faced by officers, including allegations of inadequate equipment.

“There were statements that officers ended up using old, unreliable vehicles, which increased their vulnerability to attack,” he said, urging a full audit of the mission’s conduct and preparedness.

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu focused on the circumstances surrounding Kabiru’s reported death, questioning why the officer was declared fallen before his body was positively identified.

“It should also be remembered that the announcement of the death of this officer was made by the head of state even before the family had been informed,” Nyutu said.

He questioned whether proper procedures were followed, arguing that confirmation of death should come after the physical identification of remains.

“If the body has been seen, why has it not been delivered to the family for final rites?” he posed.

Narok Senator Ledama Olekina took a broader view of Kenya’s involvement in the mission, questioning the rationale behind the country’s decision to deploy personnel to Haiti amid insecurity concerns.

“We were willing to go and help the people of Haiti when other African countries were reluctant,” Olekina said.

“But the question is: when are we going to stop being overly generous and first look at ourselves?”

He urged the government and international partners to prioritise compensation, accountability, and psychological support for deployed officers and their families.

“Sadly, the family will never say goodbye to their son,” he said, calling for stronger psychosocial support systems for both families and returning officers.

The Senate committee is expected to table a detailed report addressing the status of all deployed personnel, the handling of missing cases, and the government’s support mechanisms for affected families.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Senators have raised serious concerns over Kenya’s Haiti mission, demanding transparency on the fate of deployed officers, especially the unresolved case of Benedict Kabiru Kuria. Lawmakers questioned the handling of deaths, delayed communication with families, and the lack of clarity on operational conditions. They also cited possible equipment failures and inadequate briefing before deployment. Beyond accountability, senators emphasised the need for psychosocial support for affected families and returning officers. The debate underscores growing scrutiny of Kenya’s foreign deployments and the welfare of security personnel.