Kenyan officer killed in Haiti buried at his home in Kajiado

The Kenyan police officer killed in Haiti was buried on Wednesday, with opposition leaders calling for a review and audit of Kenya's involvement in the UN-backed mission.

Constable Samuel Kaetuai Tompoi was buried at his Naserian village home in Kajiado East sub-county in a ceremony attended by serving and former police bosses led by Deputy Inspector-General of Police Gilbert Masengeli.

Tompoi, who was on patrol with the International Security Force in Port-au-Prince, was killed in a confrontation with a gang on February 23, cutting short his four-year police career.

The service was led by the deputy chief chaplain of the Admiration Police Service, Bishop John Gititu.

The bereaved family eulogised the late officer as a beacon of hope not only for his family but also for the entire community.

"Son, you are a hero not only to us but to our community, our country and to all who knew you. You gave your life for a course greater than yourself, and that is the greatest act of bravery,” his father Kaetuai Salaash and his mother said in their tribute.

Mr Masengeli, who was accompanied by other senior police officers, eulogised Tompoi as a dedicated and brave officer who died in the line of duty.

He assured the mourners that the police service would support the widow in raising and educating her children.

"Police work is a calling that requires dedication to serve and make the right tough decision in the line of duty. Samuel Tompoi was such an officer. We honour him as a hero," said Mr Masengeli, who also read his boss' speech.

In the speech, Inspector-General Douglas Kanja described the Haiti peacekeeping mission as a service to humanity, praising officers for their exemplary work.

Former Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet, who serves as the Deputy National Security Advisor, described the Haiti peacekeeping mission as an invaluable service to humanity.

However, opposition leaders, led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, said the mission is untenable and would burden already overstretched Kenyan taxpayers.

"Owing to the underfunding of the Haiti mission by the USA government, the mission is likely to overburden Kenyan taxpayers. Recently, we were told by the Kenya government that they need Sh5 billion to support the elusive peace mission programme. We are demanding a forensic audit of all the money given by the USA government for transparency and accountability,” he said.

Democratic Action Party (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa said the future of the mission was uncertain and urged President William Ruto to review it.

"We have always been concerned about how this Haiti mission was done hurriedly from the onset. The opposition is in order to question the future of this billions-worth peace mission. The mission faces uncertainty. Let the United Nations (UN) take over this mission to ensure that our officers are properly funded and equipped to avert more deaths," said Mr Wamalwa.

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said the country will always be indebted to security officers who make sacrifices to protect people and property.

Constable Tompoi is survived by his wife Naomi Samuel, 23, and two children.