A sombre mood has filled a little village in Kajiado West known as Naserian. The family of Samuel Kaitwai are mourning the loss of their son, who died in battle thousands of miles away from his homeland.
He was part of a Multinational Security Support Mission sent to restore peace in war-torn Haiti. At 28 years of age, Samuel was a newly married man and a father of two young children.
However, his dreams of having a prosperous life and taking care of his family while protecting and serving his nation were cut short by bullet wounds sustained in a gun battle in Segur-Savien.
Samuel was airlifted to Aspen Level 2 Hospital but unfortunately did not pull through. He had been in Haiti for 6 months.
On Monday morning, Kenyan uniformed police officers arrived at Samuel’s Naserian home, bearing with them the heavy news of his demise. Tears, heartbreak and disbelief filled the air as loved ones gathered to console the family for their loss and honour the sacrifice he put in.
“We just got news this morning that my son Samuel has passed away after encountering Haiti gangs who killed him. He has left behind two very young children and a young wife,” says his father, Kaetuai Lesaru Salaash.
Before the Haiti mission, Samuel served dutifully in Mandera and Wajir since 2021 as part of the NPS Border Patrol Unit. He was the family’s breadwinner.
Samuel had big dreams, including building a house for his family. A pile of stones within the compound, meant to be used in laying the foundation is all that remains as a silent reminder of Samuel’s dream to uplift his family upon his return.
Amount of compensation money families of fallen KDF soldiers get
“He is the only person who has a payslip with us today and so we look to him as a very big helper. As you can see, he has laid stones to build a house,” said Amos Kaetuai, the officer’s brother.
Samuel’s wife Naomi revealed that he was often busy at the front line of battle, but they would regularly communicate via messages as he kept on asking about his children’s welfare.
“We request the government of Kenya to repatriate my son’s body so that I can see and confirm it is him,” his father added.
The Kenyan government, through the National Police Service, has pledged its full support to the officer’s family.
