On Saturday, January 18, 217 Kenyan police officers boarded a Kenya Airways flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, headed to Haiti to join a multinational security mission aimed at curbing the escalating violence from criminal gangs. The officers, drawn from various units of the National Police Service, are part of the latest batch of 600 officers designated to reinforce the 400 officers already on the ground in Haiti.
The mission, led by Kenya, is a significant component of the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which has been tasked with restoring order in Haiti, one of the most unstable nations in the Caribbean. The 217 officers, along with their colleagues, are expected to work alongside Haitian National Police (HNP) units, enhancing local security operations and strengthening the law enforcement capabilities of Haiti’s police force.
This deployment is a continuation of Kenya’s commitment to peacekeeping in Haiti, with additional contingents set to leave by the end of the month, including a final group in February. The Kenyan-led force, which will ultimately consist of 2,500 international officers, is already providing critical support in the wake of a deadly surge in gang violence and the recent escape of 3,700 inmates from Haiti’s two largest prisons in March 2024.
The operation faces ongoing challenges, as the country grapples with persistent instability, economic turmoil, and a lack of effective political control. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gang violence has spiraled, rendering large parts of the country uncontrollable. Despite this, officials are optimistic that the continued presence of Kenyan officers will help stabilize the situation, especially with the recent graduation of over 700 Haitian police officers from a five-month training program aimed at improving local law enforcement.
The Kenyan-led MSS mission has not been without its challenges, particularly regarding funding, but it has garnered support from international partners. US Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio recently praised Kenya’s leadership in the mission and indicated continued backing from the United States, with a focus on involving other countries in the Western Hemisphere to contribute to Haiti’s security.
While the mission has yet to fully stabilize Haiti, officials remain hopeful that the gradual buildup of security forces and infrastructure, such as the establishment of Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in the most affected regions, will eventually restore order and lay the groundwork for a legitimate government transition.
