Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, stands as a city under siege. Gangs, ruling with terror, control an estimated 85% of the city, plunging its population into chaos and despair. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gang violence has surged, leaving the country on the brink of collapse. Over 5,000 people have lost their lives to this violence in 2024 alone. Amidst this turmoil, a contingent of Kenyan forces, deployed under the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), battles to restore law and order.
The gravity of the situation is starkly visible even in the few functioning hospitals. In one such hospital, two-year-old Shaina, emaciated from acute malnutrition, clings to life under the desperate care of her mother, Venda. Venda, like many others, delayed seeking medical help due to the pervasive fear of gang violence. Shaina is one of the 760,000 Haitian children on the brink of famine, a grim testament to the cascading effects of gang control.
The MSS, led by Kenyan forces since June 2024, operates in an environment rife with danger. Patrols through downtown Port-au-Prince reveal deserted streets, barricaded shops, and burnt-out cars vivid markers of gang dominance. Kenyan officers, navigating the rubble-strewn city in heavily armored vehicles, regularly come under fire. Despite their resilience, they are under immense strain, outnumbered by an estimated 12,000 armed gang members in Port-au-Prince alone.
The challenges faced by the Kenyan contingent are compounded by the delay in reinforcements. Initially envisioned as a force of 2,500, the MSS has yet to see the additional support materialize, leaving the current 400 officers overstretched. Commander Godfrey Otunge, the Kenyan leader of the mission, remains optimistic despite the odds. He highlights the overwhelming support from Haitians, who plead for the mission to extend its reach to other gang-plagued areas.
However, the extent of gang control underscores the uphill battle. In Wharf Jérémie, a gang recently massacred nearly 200 civilians over a single weekend. With children as young as nine being recruited, UNICEF reports a 70% rise in child gang membership within a year. The infamous Gran Ravine gang, led by Ti Lapli, exemplifies the terror. Commanding over 1,000 men, Ti Lapli’s group kidnaps, extorts, and kills with impunity, exacerbating Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.
The situation is dire for civilians. Negociant, a mother of five, recounts her harrowing journey of displacement, fleeing multiple neighborhoods as gangs overran them. Like thousands of others, she now resides in a school repurposed as a shelter for internally displaced persons. Her story is a microcosm of the 700,000 Haitians forced to abandon their homes due to unrelenting violence.
Despite the formidable challenges, the Kenyan forces persist. They have retaken strategic locations, such as former police stations, albeit at great risk. Sniper fire and entrenched gang resistance are constant threats. The officers’ dedication is evident, but without reinforcements and greater international support, their mission faces severe limitations.
As Haiti teeters on the edge of collapse, the MSS symbolizes a glimmer of hope. Yet, the road to stability requires more than military intervention. Addressing the systemic issues of poverty, lack of education, and economic stagnation the root causes of gang proliferation is critical. Until then, the battle for Port-au-Prince continues, with Kenyan forces at the forefront of an arduous and perilous mission.
