Before the Kenya Police were deployed to Haiti in efforts to suppress criminal gangs that were almost overrunning the capital, Port-au-Prince, there was resistance and fears among many.
The matter was fought in courts and
dragged the process up to June 2024, when the first team landed in the war-torn
city.
And since then, many credit their
arrival for the stability being experienced in the Caribbean country.
Had they not arrived and taken
positions, the criminal gangs could be in charge of Port-au-Prince, officials say.
There was joy when the first team of 100 Kenyan police officers who had been deployed to Haiti to suppress criminal gangs there arrived back in Nairobi after the completion of their mission.
They were to finish a year with an extension of
six months as per UN standards before being changed.
The
team had completed 18 months in Haiti, where they confronted gangs that wanted
to take over Port-au-Prince.
Key
achievements of the mission include enhanced stability in Haiti, restored
freedom of movement, the reopening of key road networks, and significant
progress in training the Haitian Police, authorities said.
Kenyan officers first arrived in June
2024, marking the launch of the earlier Multinational Security Support (MSS)
mission.
Since then, four additional rotations have
supported joint operations with the PNH, particularly in the West and
Artibonite Departments—areas heavily affected by gang activity.
The first contingent, comprising 400
officers, and the second, made up of 200 personnel, were drawn from a
cross-section of elite Kenyan police units, including the General Service Unit
(GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) of
the Administration Police.
Their professionalism and discipline have been widely recognised by both Haitian authorities and international partners.
The officers’ return follows a new UNSC resolution transitioning the UN mission into a specialised Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
On Thursday, December 4, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the role the Kenyan team has played in stabilising the country.
This was after he met President William Ruto in Washington DC to discuss the
team’s operations, among other issues.
Police say the team has achieved much by
stabilising the capital city. They were replaced by a new team that arrived
there on Monday.
On Monday, the Kenyan-led Gang Suppression Force (GSF) received a major boost with the arrival of a fifth contingent of 230 specialised police officers.
The team reinforced international efforts to
restore security in Haiti amid ongoing gang violence, even as more than 100
others departed Port-au-Prince after completing their tour.
The leaving team arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday evening and was welcomed by top police commanders.
They were accompanied by Kenya's
Consul General to Haiti Noor Gabow and Deputy National Security Adviser Joseph
Boinnet.
Since their deployment, at least three
police officers have been killed in separate incidents in Haiti.
The other officers returned safely after
distinguished service under the Multi-National Security Support Mission, now
known as the Gang Suppression Force.
Their
homecoming is a proud moment for the service and the country, police
headquarters said.
“The
Kenyan officers maintained exemplary discipline, upholding strict human rights
standards,” said Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Eliud Lagat.
Lagat praised the officers’ integrity, honour, and professionalism, noting that the experience gained will further strengthen policing standards and operational excellence within Kenya.
His APS counterpart, Gilbert Masengeli, commended the contingent for their honourable service and extended gratitude to all supporting partners for their steadfast support.
National Security Advisor Monica Juma lauded the
contingent as “a promise kept,” referencing the commitment made during the
pre-deployment briefing on June 24, 2024.
She recognised their distinction in representing Kenya internationally and announced upcoming reintegration and wellness programmes to ensure a smooth transition back to duty.
Earlier on, speaking at Toussaint Louverture International Airport during the official reception ceremony, GSF Force Commander Godfrey Otunge hailed the deployment as a strong signal of Kenya’s long-term commitment to stabilising Haiti and supporting the Haitian National Police (PNH).
“Kenya stands with Haiti—for as long as it takes—until peace prevails,” Otunge said, emphasising that the new contingent arrives after the expansion of the GSF mandate on October 3, 2025.
The deployment brings the total number of Kenyan
officers serving in Haiti to more than 700, making Kenya the largest
contributor to the multinational security mission.
He noted that the transition from MSS to the
newly established GSF had initially raised concerns among observers and gang
networks, who expected a leadership vacuum.
“Instead, the GSF has emerged more focused, better coordinated, and better resourced,” he said.
The ceremony also highlighted the role of other contributing countries, including The Bahamas, Jamaica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, which have pledged continued support to strengthen the GSF.
Addressing the Haitian public directly, Otunge urged citizens to remain hopeful and assured them that the mission would continue until security is fully restored and conditions allow for “free, fair, and credible national elections.”
“We will win this fight. We will defeat those who have held communities hostage for far too long,” he said, calling on gang members to surrender and submit to state authority.
The arrival of the fifth Kenyan contingent marks
the latest phase in the international effort to strengthen Haiti’s security
institutions as the country continues to battle entrenched gang networks,
chronic instability, and a longstanding humanitarian crisis.
