How family of first Kenyan officer killed in Haiti reacted to the tragic loss

Samuel Kaetuai was the first casualty the mission experienced since multinational troops were deployed to Caribbean country.

The 28-year-old was injured on February 23, 2025 during an operation in Ségur-Savien, in the Artibonite region north of Port-au-Prince. He was airlifted to Aspen Level Two Hospital where he died while receiving treatment. 

His family in Naiserian, Kajiado East sub county, described him as a pillar and dependable person.

According to his parents Lazarus and Jenifer Kaetuai, their son was the lifeblood of the family's sustenance, and that they will struggle to come to terms with the huge loss.

"We are in denial that my son is dead. I want to confirm if truly my son is dead," said Lazarus in an interview prior to the airlifting of the body back to Kenya.

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The mother described Samuel as an obedient and responsible son whom she remembered passionately cared for his parents, siblings and family.

"My son was a good man. He loved everyone. He used to provide for us without complaining and was focused on educating his other siblings," narrated Jenifer.

His wife, Naomi said she could not believe she had been widowed following the tragic loss of her husband.

"It is unbelievably sad. I was expecting to receive him back home as he had planned to attend his sister's wedding in April," recounted while fighting tears back.

The mother of two- a four-year-old and one and a half-year-old, said her late husband had planned to construct his family and her parent's permanent houses.