Kenya dispatched over 200 police officers to Haiti on Saturday, reinforcing a security mission in the Caribbean nation that is grappling with severe gang violence, which has resulted in the displacement of more than one million individuals.
Approximately ten nations have collectively committed more than 3,100 troops to Haiti as part of a United Nations-supported anti-gang initiative; however, the actual deployment has been limited thus far.
Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya’s Interior Minister, announced that the new contingent consists of 217 police officers from Kenya, who will augment the roughly 400 officers deployed the previous year.
“Our dedication to this significant mission remains steadfast, and we will persist in rallying all necessary international support to ensure its success,” he stated in a social media update.
Upon welcoming the troops, Haitian President Fritz Alphonse Jean expressed gratitude to Kenya for its steadfast assistance in combating gang violence in the country, assuring that the safety of the soldiers would be prioritized.
“We extend a warm welcome to our brothers from Kenya. The previous Kenyan troops have been diligently engaged, and during these trying times, we require friends like you,” he remarked.
Kenya’s Deputy Inspector General of Police, Gilbert Masengeli, encouraged the officers to stay alert and assist the war-torn nation in restoring peace.
“Since the initial deployment, the officers have conducted successful operations against gangs. I urge them to uphold the established standards of excellence as they work to achieve their objectives,” he stated.
Kenya has taken the lead in staffing the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, initially pledging to send a total of 1,000 personnel.
However, Reuters reported last month that nearly 20 individuals from the initial deployment had submitted resignation letters from the anti-gang mission, citing delays in pay and inadequate conditions.
In response, the MSS in Haiti, which is overseen by senior Kenyan police officials, asserted that its personnel had received their salaries and that no resignations had been reported.
