On February 24, 2025, a National Police Service vehicle drove into Naserian village in Kajiado East, its occupants bringing bad news to the family of Constable Samuel Kaetuai Tompoi.
Months earlier, Tompoi had left Nairobi for national and international duty - to fight marauding gangs in Port-au-Prince and help restore law and order in Haiti.
Tompoi, 31, who was on patrol with the UN-backed mission in Haiti, was killed in a confrontation with gang members on February 23, cutting short his police career, an upcoming wedding and other plans for his young family and ageing parents.
When the Nation visited his home on Monday, a pile of building blocks stood next to his parents' house. The stones were part of his ambitious plan to build a permanent home for his young family.
Slim, tall and jovial, as his friends describe him, Tompoi's path to joining the National Police Service (NPS) has been a bumpy one, and his success is a testament to resilience and dedication - having failed recruitment twice, only to squeak through in 2021.
His mother's third son in a polygamous family, he began his primary education at Naserian Primary School before joining Kiongwani High School in Ukambani in 2011.
He later transferred to Olkejuado High School in Kajiado County, where he sat the Kenya Certificate of Secondary School in 2014.
After leaving school, he briefly worked as a casual labourer for a cargo company at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) before returning home to venture into the boda boda sector until he joined the police service.
The late Samuel Kaetuai, the police officer who was killed in Haiti.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
The junior officer, who was fond of taking photos in full combat gear, worked with the border patrol unit in North Eastern from 2021 after passing out before he was deployed to Haiti.
George Kimiti, the family spokesperson, had earlier told Nation that Tompoi was a go-getter, a village hero, who worked tirelessly to transform his life amid myriad challenges after he cleared high school.
"This was a man who was focused on life. He was not derailed from his passion to become a police officer when he operated as a boda boda rider. We have lost a role model to his peers and the younger generation,” he told Nation
In an earlier interview with the slain officer, his ageing father, Kaetuai Lesaru, described his slain son as respectful and generous to the entire family.
"The death has hit us hard. We were all depending on him financially. We are yet to come to terms with his death," he had said amid tears.
The late Tompoi widow Naomi Samuel,23, described her husband as a doting father to their two young children, a boy and a girl and a dedicated husband. They married in 2021.
She had said they had not talked with her husband for two days before he met his death, owing to the nature of his job, but he always sent messages enquiring about their welfare.
"He was my best friend; he always checked on us, even if it was through a text message. He supported us financially. He had great plans to solemnize our marriage, among others," she said.
Embuyangat Sub Chief Noah Leishatin told Nation the death of the young officer was a big blow to the village considering he was among few young people in formal employment.
Friends and family members gather for prayers at the home of Samuel Kaetuai, a police officer killed in Haiti, in Naserian village, Kajiado West, on February 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
"Since he joined the police service, he was an epitome of hope not only for his family but the entire village. He was among few salaried young people in our sub-location,” said Leishatin.
Mr George Masoon, the late officer's childhood bosom friend, described the slain officer as a jovial and good-hearted friend who was always ready to assist others.
He told Nation he spoke with the officer on Friday, two days before his demise, and they discussed dowry payment for his wife and his plan to build a family house. Little did he know that was their last conversation.
"It is so painful,” said Masoon.
Meanwhile, preparations for a State funeral for the police officer are in high gear at his rural home.
It was received by the Deputy Inspector-General of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, flanked by family members and friends drawn from different parts of Kajiado East.
It was later ferried to Chiromo Mortuary for preservation, with burial arrangements set for a later date.
Earlier, the family had opted for interment of the slain officer on Wednesday, but the plans were shelved after the government took over the funeral arrangements.
Lately, it has been a beehive of activities as various government agencies move in earnest to prepare for the funeral.
Naomi Samuel, widow of Samuel Kaetuai, a police officer killed in Haiti, is pictured outside their home in Naserian village, Kajiado West, on February 25, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
The feeder roads to the Naserian village have been rehabilitated, and other arrangements necessitating a state funeral, including helicopter land space, have been cleared.
Isinya Deputy County Commissioner Henry Rop told Nation on Tuesday that the local administration was waiting for Harambee House directives on how the funeral will be conducted.
“We anticipate a state funeral for the slain officer, but we are waiting for the Harambee House directives later in the day (Tuesday),” said Mr Rop.
On February 3, Inspector-General Douglas Kanja, accompanied by other senior officers, visited the family and condoled with the family, eulogising the fallen officer as a dedicated officer requiring an honour.
"We will support the family to the last minute. We have made arrangements to airlift the body back home for a befitting send-off. As an Inspector general of police, I am proud of our officers in Haiti,” he said.
