Kenya has committed to sending 600 more police officers to Haiti in the coming weeks, increasing its total force in the country to 1,000. The officers are part of a mission aimed at assisting Haiti’s police in tackling gang violence that has overtaken much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas.
Kenyan President William Ruto, during a visit to Haiti, praised the efforts of the nearly 400 officers already on the ground, who have been working alongside Haitian forces since June. He acknowledged the challenges but expressed optimism about the progress made. “Many thought Haiti was a mission impossible, but now they see the progress you’ve made,” Ruto said.
Ruto also voiced support for expanding the Kenya-led security mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation, a move that could bring increased funding and resources to the effort. The UN Security Council will meet soon to decide whether to extend Kenya’s mandate for another 12 months, potentially setting the stage for a larger UN mission in 2025.
Haiti continues to grapple with widespread violence, and a UN human rights expert warned that gangs are expanding into new areas, further displacing people. Criticism has surfaced regarding the mission’s lack of equipment, with calls for helicopters, night vision goggles, and drones to bolster efforts.
Ruto promised to improve equipment for the Kenyan force and reiterated that additional officers are undergoing training for deployment. While some in Haiti are frustrated by the lack of decisive action against gangs, international efforts are ongoing to address the growing crisis, including the enforcement of sanctions and an arms embargo.
More than 700,000 people have been displaced, and the situation in parts of the country remains dire. “This enduring agony must stop,” said the UN expert, emphasizing the need for immediate action to empower the mission and Haiti’s national police force.
