Kenyan police officers have ramped up their efforts to combat gang violence in Haiti, conducting patrols in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Monday. The move comes as part of a broader international initiative to curb the ongoing violence that has plagued the Caribbean nation.
In footage shared by Haiti’s presidential service, police were seen conducting both ground patrols and deploying drones for aerial surveillance, in an effort to better monitor gang activity. Police Superintendent Edwin Kolil praised the cooperation of the local Haitian community, emphasizing the critical role that public collaboration plays in the fight against the gangs.
“The members of the public in this country are very good. They interact with us each and every day, providing information about gang movements,” Kolil said.
Kenya’s deployment to Haiti continues to grow, with an additional 217 officers sent on Friday as part of a multinational force aimed at addressing the surge in violence. This brings the total number of Kenyan police officers deployed to over 600. President William Ruto has committed to sending up to 1,000 troops as part of a U.N.-backed peacekeeping mission to stabilize the situation.
The gang violence in Haiti has left over 700,000 people homeless, many of whom have sought refuge in overcrowded and unsanitary shelters. In 2023 alone, more than 5,600 people were reported killed, marking a sharp rise in fatalities compared to previous years. The violence, kidnappings, and injuries continue to take a heavy toll on the population, with the U.N. Human Rights Office reporting more than 2,200 injuries and nearly 1,500 kidnappings last year.
The Kenyan-led international patrols are seen as a crucial effort in restoring peace and security to Haiti as it grapples with one of the worst gang violence crises in its history.
