Agony and silence: Family of missing police officer in Haiti demands answers

The family of Benedict Kabiru, a missing Kenya police officer in Haiti lives in agony and uncertainty, with many questions than answers after the government turned its back on their plight, ignoring their calls.

In distress and nowhere to turn to, relying on the mercy of a neighbor advocate, the family has now written to the Attorney General demanding answers to the whereabouts of their kin who went missing in Haiti on March 26, this year. 

Speaking in Nairobi yesterday, Kabiru's brother, Philip Kamau, recounted the unbearable pain the family has undergone since they received the news that their kin went missing in Haiti. 

He said the family has lived in distress, with the mother and Kabiru's wife going without meals as they have been, occasionally overwhelmed emotionally. 

Today marks 37 days since the breaking news of my brother's missing. We cannot comprehend to date," he narrated, his voice shaking, accusing the government of ignoring them in their time of need. 

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He said responding to unending questions from the officer's daughter, who is supposed to join the university this year, about his missing father has been an uphill task.

"She is often asking, 'How are we going to leave with my father? " I don't even have answers to that," he said as he paused, conspicuously lost in thought. 

"She often goes into hiding whenever she sees the press.  She says she does not want to be the breaking news," added Kamau.

This comes weeks after the State promised to offer counselling services to the family, which Kamau said, has never materialised to date. 

He said they received information from Jogoo House to avail themselves at the police headquarters for counselling but the police ignored their efforts to reach them and have kept them waiting since then. 

"At 2pm on April 24, Kikuyu police commander, a catechist, pastor and Imam visited our home and offered prayers, which we appreciated. That is the last time we have seen them," he stated. 

"We don't know anything. They only issue empty promises whenever they pick up our calls, which they often ignore. We want answers," he said, insisting they have been taken in circles for far too long. "We can't eat or sleep." 

The "conflicting" statement from the Kenyan government and Haiti's Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) about the status of the missing officer, the family said, has left them more "confused."

"This valiant policeman, committed to the side of the Haitian forces to fight against insecurity, has made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future," read a statement from CPT, suggesting that Kabiru may have lost his life in the violent attack on Tuesday, March 25. 

However, IG Douglas Kanja later assured the family of the government's efforts to rescue their kin and bring him back. 

“The search is still on for the unaccounted officer, and all efforts are being made to ensure we find him. I want to assure the family of the missing officer that we are doing everything possible, and we are going to bring him back,” the IG said in early April. 

Daniel Kabiru, the missing officer's uncle, shared how his nephew was in "high spirits" before the news of his disappearance. "We used to communicate on WhatsApp and he used to assure us that everything was okay."

And now, the "plans to change their home once he comes back" are in limbo, according to Daniel, even as they remain hopeful that he will be found alive and reunited with the family. 

"Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli promised us that Kabiru is his officer and they must rescue him. And that in a short time he is giving us good news. We are still waiting more tha a month later," he said. 

"We've been distressed and anxious. We don't know his whereabouts...his mother is overwhelmed with emotions We are asking the government to tell us the truth."  

Through their lawyer, the family has now written to the AG, Dorcas Oduor, compelling the State to provide them with official information on the whereabouts of their missing son. 

The letter seen by The Sunday Standard has requested unconditional  information about Benedict Kabiru confirmed by authorities in Haiti.  

"There must be information of where the search is being done and what the real issues involved are. Is it a case of ransom? Or is it a case where there is demand for exchange of prisoners?" questioned the family advocate Mbuthi Gathenji.