Written by Joyce Nzomo
The Attorney General’s office has asked for more time to verify remarks made by President William Ruto regarding the fate of Kenyan police officer Benedict Kabiru, who went missing in Haiti earlier this year.
When the matter came up before Justice Chacha Mwita on Wednesday, state lawyer Betty Mwasao, appearing for the AG and other agencies, told the court that the government’s official position remains that Kabiru is “missing in action.” She requested more time to confirm whether the President’s statement at the United Nations was accurate.
While addressing the UN Security Council earlier this month, President Ruto had honoured Kenyan peacekeepers serving in Haiti, naming Kabiru among those who “lost their lives in the line of duty.” His words prompted Kabiru’s family to move to court seeking official confirmation of his status.
The family’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Mbuthi Gathenji, informed the court that both sides had agreed to introduce new evidence through a supplementary affidavit to resolve one of the key prayers in the petition;official disclosure of Kabiru’s status.
“We agreed that this evidence should be introduced by way of a supplementary affidavit. That would settle one of the orders we are seeking, which is confirmation of the officer’s status. We proposed filing within three days, with the AG’s office replying within seven days,” Gathenji told the court.
Justice Mwita directed the family to file and serve the affidavit within seven days, with the state given a similar period to respond. He also encouraged both parties to try and resolve any remaining issues outside court.
The petition was filed by Kabiru’s mother, Jacinta Wanjiku, and other relatives. They want the AG, the Inspector-General of Police, and relevant ministries compelled to provide clear updates on efforts to trace him and to communicate directly with the family.
Kabiru disappeared in March after a Kenyan convoy he was part of was ambushed by gangs in Haiti during a UN-backed peacekeeping mission. His family says they have endured months of silence and conflicting information from authorities.
