Family of missing Kenyan officer left shattered in the dark

Distraught Jecinta Wanjiku Kabiru (center) is supported by relatives at their Thamanda home following the disappearance of her son Benedict Kabiru who is serving in Haiti. [George Njunge, Standard]

For nearly three weeks after Kenyan police officer Benedict Kabiru went missing while on duty in Haiti, his family is still groping in the dark; confused, anxious, and increasingly frustrated by what they describe as government silence and neglect.

According to the family, what began as a hopeful wait for answers has turned into a painful ordeal of unanswered calls, broken promises, and emotional distress.

Speaking to The Sunday Standard at their home in Kiambu, the family said that they have been left to pursue officials for information, with no clear communication from the National Police Service or the Ministry of Interior.

“We are in distress. It is us who are making follow-ups, not the government. Our calls are not picked, and even when we go to their offices, nothing comes out of it,” said Daniel Ndungu, the family spokesperson.

Ndungu recounted a string of frustrations, including a failed promise for a counselling session arranged by the police.

“We were given the contact of the Director of Operations of the National Police Service. He told us they were planning counselling for the family. I kept trying to follow up, but most of the time he was not picking my calls. When he finally did, he said we should get ready on a Wednesday, and they would send a car to take us to the headquarters. We prepared ourselves, but on the very day, he called to cancel. Since then, we have heard nothing,” said Ndungu.

Kabiru is among the Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti as part of a UN-backed multinational mission aimed at restoring peace in the gang-ravaged Caribbean nation. He went missing after a reported gang ambush, sparking concern back home and a cloud of confusion over his fate.

Earlier on, there were speculations that Kabiru had been killed, and even a video widely circulated online showing him lying on the ground lifeless. Also, there were reports that his body is allegedly being held by gangs. The government later dismissed those claims, saying the video was AI-generated and that the officer is missing.