Senior officials within the National Police Service (NPS) have issued statements contradicting President William Ruto regarding the fate of police officer Benedict Kabiru, who went missing in Haiti six months ago.
According to a report by KTN, police leaders maintain that Kabiru is still alive, rejecting claims that he was killed while on duty in Haiti.
Their stance has drawn sharp criticism from the family’s lawyer, Mbuthi Gathenji, who has accused the authorities of effectively suggesting that the President misrepresented the facts.
President Ruto had announced Kabiru’s death during a High-Level Meeting on Haiti at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), naming him among three Kenyan officers who had lost their lives during the ongoing peacekeeping mission.
“I must use this occasion to honor the Kenyan officers Mr. Samuel Tuoi, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve who lost their lives in the line of duty,” Ruto stated during his address.
Kabiru has been missing since March 2025 following an ambush on Kenyan police by gangs in Haiti. The conflicting reports have left the officer’s family in turmoil.
His mother, Jacinta Wanjiku, expressed shock and confusion at learning of her son’s reported death through social media, and from a speech delivered abroad.
“The President’s confession has shattered us. Why do I have to learn of my son’s death through social media, and from a speech abroad? Since May, we have knocked on doors seeking answers in vain. What exactly are they not telling us?” she questioned.
Wanjiku said she had trusted earlier assurances from top government officials, including Inspector General Douglas Kanja, that Kabiru was missing but a search was ongoing.
She criticized the government for what she called psychological torture of the family and accused authorities of withholding the truth.
“They have tortured me all this time, knowing the truth. I know the President cannot say something that has not been confirmed,” she said.
She has called on the government to repatriate Kabiru’s remains so the family can gain closure.
“I urge them to bring back my son’s remains so that I can do what is necessary. I can’t believe he is gone until I see his body,” she added.
The contradictory messages from the President and the police leadership have only deepened the mystery surrounding Kabiru’s fate, raising questions about transparency and communication within the government.
