Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has broken his silence regarding the case of missing Kenyan police officer Benedict Kabiru, stating that the search mission is still ongoing. He assured that information would be relayed to the public once the officer is found.
The family of the missing officer has expressed concerns over the limited information shared by the police six days after Kabiru disappeared.
He was among officers ambushed by a gang while on a rescue mission in Haiti. In response, a prayer service seeking divine intervention was held on Sunday afternoon at their home in Thamanda, Kikuyu.
Tears flowed freely at the home of Benedict Kabiru as family and friends grappled with emotions, struggling with both his disappearance and the lack of clear communication from authorities.
Jecinta Wanjiku, Kabiru’s mother, voiced her frustration over the silence from the police:
“I keep wondering what is happening where he is. Have they remained silent as we have, or is the search continuing? My plea is for them to update us on their progress. From where he disappeared, how far have they reached?”
Daniel Kabiru, a relative, echoed the family’s concerns, stating:
“Since Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we have been in communication with the Sub-County Commander. However, we are constantly told to wait. Every time we visit the office, we are informed that a search and rescue mission is underway, but we have not received any tangible updates.”
The prolonged uncertainty has taken a toll on both the family and the larger Thamanda community.
Jecinta Wanjiku further shared the emotional burden the situation has placed on their household:
“I have been burdening my brother and sister, asking them to take me to the authorities for updates. When I return home, I find my grandson full of questions. He asks, ‘Shosho, I am supposed to go to university. What if my father is dead?’ I tell him, ‘You will study, and you will succeed.’”
Philip Kamau, Kabiru’s brother, described the distress their mother is going through:
“Our mother is struggling. Sometimes she has no energy, she doesn’t eat, she doesn’t sleep. It is mentally exhausting for us. Why is the government not telling us the truth?”
Peter Kibiru, Chairman of Community Policing, highlighted the growing concerns within the local community:
“Since news of Kabiru’s disappearance broke, the community has had so many questions. They keep asking for updates, but we have no answers to give them.”
While attending Eid celebrations in Eastleigh, Inspector General Douglas Kanja confirmed that an active search operation for Kabiru is still underway in Haiti.
Kanja commended the Kenyan contingent in Haiti for their efforts in stabilizing the volatile nation nine months after their deployment as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission. However, he did not disclose whether Kabiru is alive or dead.
There have been conflicting reports regarding Kabiru’s fate since his disappearance on March 25th. A statement from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council last week indicated that a security officer died during the ambush when Kabiru went missing. However, no official confirmation has been provided by the Kenyan authorities.
For now, the family of the missing officer clings to hope that they will soon receive good news.
