Another 200 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on Tuesday, joining a UN-backed mission to combat rampant gang violence plaguing the Caribbean nation.
This second contingent follows the initial deployment of 200 officers last month, all stationed in the capital city, Port-au-Prince, where gang control is estimated to reach at least 80%.
The arrival comes amidst a surge in gang violence raising international concern.
Last week, the UN Security Council condemned the “extreme levels of armed violence” undermining Haitian security.
Specific details regarding the Kenyan officers’ assignments remain under wraps due to security concerns, though they have been spotted patrolling areas near the main international airport, which recently reopened after a gang-related closure.
Haiti’s National Police, understaffed and under-equipped with only 10,000 active officers for a nation exceeding 11 million, is receiving much-needed support.
The Kenyan-led mission, expected to total 2,500 personnel including police and soldiers from various countries, aims to bolster Haiti’s law enforcement capacity. Funding for the mission is estimated at $600 million annually, according to the UN Security Council.
The dire situation in Haiti demands immediate action. Gang violence is a major concern, with UN reports indicating over 4,450 people killed and another 1,668 injured in 2023 alone – more than double the previous year.
The first three months of 2024 saw a continuation of this trend, with over 1,500 casualties reported. While some Haitians welcome the Kenyan intervention, others remain cautious about the mission’s impact.
