Overview:
PNH claims security is under control in Petite-Rivière after the killing of Kenyan officer Samuel Tompei Kaetuai
GONAÏVES, Haiti — Haitian police say they have regained security in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite following an attack by the Grand Griffe gang that killed a Kenyan officer deployed with the Multinational Security and Support Force (MSS). In response to the ambush, authorities deployed reinforcements and additional armored vehicles to the area as part of ongoing efforts to combat gang violence, the National Police of Haiti (PNH) announced.
“All measures have been taken to guarantee the security of the population in the commune of Petite-Rivière in Artibonite,” Saint-Marc Police Commissioner Max Altis Vital said in a statement. “These troops have been reinforced and equipped to ensure the safety of lives and property.”
Authorities confirmed that more than 11 armored vehicles have been received to support security operations in the commune. Special units of the PNH, backed by the MSS, were added to the force to ramp up efforts to reclaim territory previously controlled by gangs. The increased security measures have also led to administrative changes, with Divisional Commissioner Kalerbe Exantus replacing Jean Louis Paul Ménard as the new departmental director of the police in Artibonite.
The Kenyan police officer who was the victim of a fatal gunshot wound during anti-gang operations in the Artibonite region over the weekend marks the first death and second recorded shooting of an officer of the MSS since its deployment.
The push for security follows the fatal Feb. 23 attack on Kenyan officer Samuel Tompei Kaetuai, who was shot in the back of the head on a Kenyan base in Seguin, a locality in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite. The Grand Griffe gang ambushed security forces, marking the first fatality within the MSS since its deployment. The attack underscores the challenges of restoring stability in the region, which has seen a wave of gang-related violence for months.
The Artibonite region, long a battleground for criminal groups, has seen a continuous surge in violence this year despite increased security measures. Armed groups like Grand Griffe and Kokorat San Ras have terrorized residents, displacing thousands and carrying out brazen attacks. Last October, Grand Griffe members massacred more than 70 people in Pont-Sondé, and in January, the Kokorat San Ras gang killed 11 people in Gros-Morne. Despite ongoing police and MSS operations, gangs remain deeply entrenched, highlighting the challenges of restoring order.
A Kenyan delegation, led by Chief Godfrey Otunge of the Haitian mission, arrived in Petite-Rivière on Feb. 24 after the Kenyan soldier’s death to assess the situation and reassure security forces on the ground.
“We will continue to courageously support our officers and our Haitian counterparts in the fight against criminal groups,” Otunge said.
“People cannot farm, do trade, move freely. The police must assume their responsibilities.”
André Saint-Louis, General Coordinator of the Initiative Committee for Peace of Bas-Artibonite (KILBA)
However, the situation remains tenuous. According to Saint-Marc Police Commissioner Vital, security forces have made progress, but gangs still control significant portions of the area.
“We control all the ring roads leading to the commune of Petite-Rivière Artibonite,” Vital said. “Despite this, the bandits still occupy a good perimeter of the region.”
Public calls for action grow louder
The continued violence has led to frustration among residents. On Feb. 17, community members organized a peaceful march in Petite-Rivière and Pont-Sondé, demanding stronger police action against the gangs. Many residents, including relatives of victims, expressed disappointment with what they see as a passive response from law enforcement.
André Saint-Louis, general coordinator of the Initiative Committee for Peace of Bas-Artibonite (KILBA), criticized the Haitian police for failing to decisively confront Grand Griffe.
“The police have the means to fight these gangsters, but they lack the will,” he said. “We are forced to live under constant threats while waiting for action.”
Saint-Louis also highlighted the psychological and economic toll the violence has taken on the region.
The police and MSS forces face immense pressure to deliver results. Despite the reinforced police presence, some officials acknowledge the limitations of current efforts, as the reality on the ground remains complex. Gangs continue to operate in parts of the Artibonite region while security forces struggle to establish long-term stability. As police and MSS forces intensify operations, the people of Artibonite remain caught in the crossfire, waiting for meaningful and lasting change.
“People cannot farm, do trade, move freely. The police must assume their responsibilities,” Saint-Louis said.
