Inspector General of the National Police Service Douglas Kanja today joined a sea of mourners in Naserian Village, Kajiado West, to bid farewell to Samuel Tompoi, a police officer felled in the line of duty in Haiti.
Kanja hailed Tompoi as “a hero and ambassador” who sacrificed his life for global peace, a stark reminder of the risks Kenya’s finest face abroad.
Tompoi, gunned down in a fierce clash with Haitian gangs, was among the elite deployed in the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission. “He was well-trained, ready for the task,” Kanja said, his voice firm yet tinged with sorrow.
“His death is a gut punch to the NPS.” Flanked by top brass—DIG-KPS Eliud Lagat, DIG-APS Gilbert Masengeli, and others—the IG vowed that the welfare of officers in Haiti remains Nairobi’s top priority. “We’re in constant touch, ensuring they’ve got what they need,” he assured.
Tompoi’s family, still reeling, thanked the NPS for standing by them. “We’ve felt the love and support,” a relative whispered amid the somber crowd. Dignitaries like Senator Peris Tobiko, State House Controller Dr. Katoo Ole Metito, and NPSC’s John Ole Moyaki joined the throng, their presence a nod to Tompoi’s sacrifice.
The shooting happened in the western Artibonite region, where Kenyan police sent to neutralize Haitian gangs were conducting an operation this past week.
The police officer was airlifted out of the area and died from his injuries, Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Kenyan forces in Haiti, said in a statement.
Kenya has sent hundreds of officers to help weak Haitian law enforcement. In February, 200 more police officers from the East African country joined more than 600 other Kenyans already working alongside Haiti’s National Police as part of a multinational force boosted by soldiers and police deployed by countries including Jamaica, Guatemala and El Salvador.
