Final Farewell for Samuel Tompoi, Kenyan Officer Killed in Haiti.
Samuel Tompoi, a Kenyan police officer who lost his life while serving in a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, was laid to rest at his family home in Nairana, Kajiado County. The solemn ceremony brought together political leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Democratic Action Party leader Eugene Wamalwa. Friends, colleagues, and dignitaries gathered to offer their final respects and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family.
A Legacy of Dreams and Recognition
During the ceremony, Tompoi’s family described him as an ambitious man with many aspirations, hoping that his dreams, as outlined in his theology, would be fulfilled with support from the government and those close to him. Leaders at the event stressed the need for substantial government compensation for his family, emphasizing that he was the first Kenyan police officer to die in this mission. They expressed that he should receive national recognition posthumously, as he was the first casualty in the operation.
Concerns Over Haiti Mission
Kalonzo Musyoka urged for an audit of Kenya’s involvement in Haiti, raising concerns over funding and inadequate equipment for the Kenyan forces. He noted that the operation was not traditional peacekeeping but rather peace enforcement, which requires a special mandate from the UN Security Council.
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Circumstances of His Death
Tompoi was fatally wounded in a peacekeeping operation in Haiti after being attacked by armed gangs. The Multinational Security Support Mission confirmed his death on social media in late February, reporting that a Kenyan officer had succumbed to injuries sustained during an operation. The National Police Service later corroborated the report, stating that he had come under fire from suspected gang members on a Sunday. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital for emergency treatment, he did not survive.
Final Farewell for Samuel Tompoi, Kenyan Officer Killed in Haiti.
