Kenya has pledged to deploy an additional 600 police officers to Haiti in the coming weeks to help combat gang violence that has overrun much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas. This will bring the total number of Kenyan officers in Haiti to 1,000, as part of a mission that began in June to support the country’s struggling police force.
During a visit to Haiti, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his support for transforming the current Kenya-led security mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation. Several other countries have pledged to contribute 1,900 more troops to bolster the effort.
Haiti continues to experience widespread violence, with gangs targeting new areas and causing mass displacement. A UN human rights expert has warned of escalating gang control and urged for more resources to counter the crisis.
The UN Security Council is expected to meet by the end of the month to discuss renewing Kenya’s current mandate for another 12 months, potentially paving the way for a full-fledged UN mission in 2025. Such a mission would provide increased funding and equipment to address the ongoing violence.
Addressing Kenyan officers already deployed in Port-au-Prince, President Ruto commended their efforts, saying, “There are many people who thought Haiti was mission impossible, but today they have changed their minds because of the progress you have made.” He reassured the officers that they would succeed in their mission and promised to seek improved equipment for them.
Currently, 400 Kenyan officers are patrolling the streets of Port-au-Prince in cooperation with Haitian forces to restore order. The next batch of 600 Kenyan officers is undergoing training for redeployment, with Ruto affirming they will be mission-ready soon.
However, criticism has emerged regarding the mission’s slow progress and lack of decisive action against the gangs. UN human rights expert William O’Neil, who recently visited Haiti, pointed out that the mission is under-equipped, calling for helicopters, night vision goggles, and drones to enhance operations. He also noted that, despite international sanctions, arms and ammunition continue to be smuggled into the country, allowing gangs to expand their influence.
O’Neil described the dire situation in some areas, including Jérémie, where police officers struggle to maintain order with insufficient resources. He highlighted the increase in sexual violence and displacement, with more than 700,000 people now uprooted from their homes.