Kenyan police officers are heading to Haiti this week to address severe gang violence. The deployment has faced delays due to legal challenges and worsened security conditions in Haiti, leading to Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation in March. The mission involves personnel from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Chad, Bangladesh and Kenya, primarily funded by the United States. The first contingent of Kenyan officers is set to arrive in Haiti shortly to address the rampant gang violence in the country.
The deployment has been repeatedly delayed by court challenges and a deterioration of security in Haiti, leading to Ariel Henry’s resignation. Kenyan police officers are preparing to leave for Haiti, with their weapons and personal belongings collected and ready for transport. Kenyan President William Ruto held a departure ceremony for the 400 officers who will be the first to deploy to Haiti. An additional 600 officers will join the mission later, with a planned stop in a third country before reaching Haiti.
In addition to Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Chad, and Bangladesh have also pledged personnel to the 2,500-strong mission, primarily funded by the United States. Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille, who recently took office following Henry’s resignation, expressed gratitude for Kenya’s support. The multinational mission is aimed at stabilizing Haiti, enabling the country to renew its political personnel and return to an effective democracy. Previous missions in Haiti have been marred by civilian casualties, a cholera outbreak, and a sexual abuse scandal, but supporters hope this deployment can re-establish security to allow for elections to take place.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry first called for international security support in 2022 as gangs gained control of Haiti’s main fuel terminal. The ongoing conflict has paralyzed the economy, closed hospitals, and obstructed supply routes, leading to over half a million internally displaced Haitians and widespread food insecurity. The mission to Haiti is considered urgent, important, and historic in the global community’s solidarity efforts. Kenyan President William Ruto underscored the significance of the mission as a stand for humanity and universal values, emphasizing the importance of taking action to address the dire situation in Haiti.
Kenyan police officers are preparing to depart for Haiti to tackle rampant gang violence that has plagued the country for years. The mission, which has been delayed due to legal challenges and deteriorating security conditions in Haiti, involves personnel from several countries, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Chad, Bangladesh, and Kenya, with funding primarily from the United States. The deployment aims to address the ongoing violence in Haiti and stabilize the country to enable the restoration of democracy and socioeconomic stability.
