Residents of Dofunor in Haiti’s Artibonite region are breathing a sigh of relief after Kenyan police and their counterparts resumed operations under the, restoring access to vital food supplies that had been cut off for months by armed gangs.
On Monday, joint patrols by Multinational Security Support (MSS) forces and the Haitian National Police (PNH) swept through parts of Petite Rivière township, forcing gangs to retreat and securing storage facilities where farmers had kept their rice harvests.
For many families, the day marked the first time in months that they could safely reach the stores without fear of extortion or violence.
Large numbers of farmers turned out to reclaim their rice under the watchful eyes of MSS and PNH patrols.
“Security teams maintained a heavy presence across Petite Rivière and along key routes linking Palmiste, Laverdure, Canal, and the local cemetery, allowing residents to move about freely,” reads a statement by MSS.
It, however, stated that access to Segur remains blocked after gangs dug trenches and destroyed the Palmiste bridge, effectively cutting off the community.
MSS officials confirmed that heavy equipment is being mobilised to clear the roadblocks and repair damaged infrastructure so residents can once again reach their farms and homes.
MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge praised the resilience of the people of Petite Rivière and the wider Artibonite region.
“Your trust and cooperation with MSS and PNH teams is what makes progress possible,” he said.
“We remain committed to defeating the gangs and restoring peace so that daily life can return to normal.”
The resumption of Kenyan police operations in Haiti follows a brief pause amid operational challenges.
During the last operation, some officers were killed with being fatally injured by the gangs, forcing them to suspend in a bid to restrategise.
Their return has been welcomed by both local communities and the Haitian police, who have been stretched thin battling heavily armed gangs that control large swathes of the country.
MSS and PNH say their priority is to consolidate security gains, reopen blocked routes, and guarantee safe passage for farmers, traders, and schoolchildren.
