A new group of 217 Kenyan police officers arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Saturday to reinforce the ongoing international mission aimed at restoring order in the country, which is struggling with escalating gang violence. The officers were welcomed by Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime as part of Kenya’s ongoing commitment to assist Haiti in its security crisis.
Kenya has been a leading contributor to the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which aims to support Haiti’s overstretched local police force. While over 10 countries have pledged to send troops, the deployment has been slower than expected, with Kenya taking a prominent role. Since June 2023, Kenya has sent over 600 officers, with plans to eventually deploy a total of 1,000 officers as part of their commitment.
Kipchumba Murkomen
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen addressed the latest batch of officers before their departure, acknowledging concerns at home about the country’s own security challenges. He emphasized that Kenya’s willingness to contribute was driven by a spirit of solidarity, saying, “We don’t usually do or give out of abundance of what we have. Giving is the spirit that is in us as Kenyans.”
Murkomen also expressed confidence in the effectiveness of the Kenyan officers, who have been credited with making significant strides in curbing gang activity in Haiti since their initial deployment. “I believe you are going to vanquish them, you are going to create a working environment for the Haitians and you are going to hand over a country to the locals,” he said.
Haiti has been grappling with severe gang violence, which claimed over 5,600 lives in 2023 alone, according to the United Nations. The ongoing conflict has displaced more than 700,000 Haitians, many of whom now live in precarious conditions in makeshift shelters. The UN reports that more than 80% of the capital is under the control of criminal gangs, further straining the ability of the Haitian government and police to maintain order.
The deployment of Kenyan police officers is seen as a vital part of the international community’s effort to address the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, but the country still faces significant challenges in its fight against organized crime and instability.
