Kenya to deploy an additional 600 police officers to Haiti

Kenya has committed to deploying an additional 600 police officers to Haiti in the coming weeks to assist in combating the gangs that have taken control of much of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. This new contingent will raise the total number of Kenyan officers sent to Haiti since June to 1,000.

During a recent visit to Haiti, President William Ruto expressed support for converting the current Kenya-led security mission into a comprehensive United Nations peacekeeping operation. Several other nations have also pledged to send at least 1,900 additional troops.

Despite ongoing violence in Haiti, a UN human rights expert has reported that gangs are expanding their influence into new regions, resulting in increased displacement. The UN Security Council is expected to convene by the end of the month to discuss whether to extend Kenya’s current mandate for another 12 months, which would set the stage for a full UN mission in 2025, potentially increasing funding and resources for the operation, which has faced challenges due to inadequate equipment.

While addressing Kenyan officers stationed in Port-au-Prince, President Ruto praised their accomplishments over the past few months. “Many believed Haiti was a mission impossible, but today their views have changed because of your progress,” he stated. He expressed confidence in their success against the gangs and committed to securing better equipment for them.

The nearly 400 Kenyan officers currently on the ground are actively patrolling and collaborating with Haitian forces to safeguard the community and restore order. Ruto noted that the upcoming batch of 600 officers is undergoing redeployment training and will be ready for mission in a few weeks.

However, there has been criticism in Haiti regarding the lack of decisive action against the gangs. The UN human rights expert emphasized that the mission is under-equipped, lacking essential resources such as helicopters, night vision goggles, and drones.

“The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, has deployed less than a quarter of its planned forces,” stated William O’Neil. He highlighted that despite an international arms embargo, illegal arms and ammunition continue to flow into Haiti, allowing gangs to expand their control.

The UN expert reported significant logistical and technical limitations faced by the police in countering the gangs, quoting a police officer in Jérémie as saying, “The situation borders on the impossible. We have to learn to walk on water.” The rise in sexual violence has led to the displacement of over 700,000 people.

“This enduring agony must stop. It is a race against time,” O’Neil asserted, emphasizing the need to enhance support for the MSS mission to effectively assist the Haitian National Police and implement other measures mandated by the UN Security Council, including sanctions and a targeted arms embargo.