It is a shot in the arm for Kenyan troops in Haiti as the United States delivered vital equipment to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) and Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti which Kenya is part of.
The MSS initiative aims to address the escalating violence and instability in Haiti, which has been exacerbated by gang activities and human rights violation.
The vital weapons were delivered between October 28 and November 3 to the troops trying to restore sanity in the gang-infested Caribbean state by United States’ Department of Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL)
Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) arrived in Haiti to double the MSS fleet and enhance mobility, along with other assistance to aid the initiative.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield with Kenya Police in Haiti on July 22, 2024.
Photo
Linda Thomas-Greenfield
“This assistance underscores our ongoing commitment to addressing the urgent security and humanitarian needs in Haiti,” the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics stated.
Additionally, INL contributed other law enforcement tools to aid the MSS forces working in coordination with the HNP to combat deadly Haitian gangs.
“A well-equipped MSS is critical for bolstering the anti-gang efforts of the HNP. The United States remains committed to supporting the Haitian people in achieving stability that can bring about a Haitian-led political solution through free and fair elections,” the US department added.
The mission in Haiti which was authorized by the United Nations Security Council is led by Kenya together with the Government of Haiti in bid to restore security and public order in a country where gangs wield enormous power.
In addition to leading the mission, Kenya’s involvement signifies its commitment to supporting Haiti during this critical time to restore the country back to stability.
Kenyan troops set foot in Haiti with its first contingent of police officers on October 31, 2023, when a group of 200 police officers arrived in the capital, Port-au-Prince with an additional 200 police officers landing on November 7, 2023, bringing the total number of Kenyan personnel deployed to 400.
This deployment was part of a UN-backed mission aimed at addressing the severe gang violence that has plagued Haiti and consequently had overpowered Haiti’s National Police which has been underfunded.
The Kenyan government has been ready to provide assistance from Haitian authorities, indicating its readiness to contribute personnel and resources necessary for restoring law and order.
President William Ruto interacting with Kenya Police officers in Haiti, September 2024.
Photo
PCS
