Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, erupted in scenes of celebration on Monday, as videos circulating on Wednesday showed groups of Haitians staging peaceful demonstrations.
The demonstrators paid homage to Kenyan police officers who will fully withdraw from the country by the end of April.
Carrying placards and waving tree branches, jubilant citizens flocked to the streets of the Haitian capital, expressing relief and marking what many viewed as the end of a controversial foreign security presence.
The gatherings appeared festive rather than confrontational, reflecting mixed local sentiments toward the international mission.
The Kenyan contingent formed the backbone of the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which deployed in mid-2024 to assist Haiti’s National Police in combating heavily armed gangs
The gangs terrorised parts of Port-au-Prince and beyond, triggering widespread violence, displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Kenya made up the largest contribution of the multinational security force at its height, deploying over 980 officers.
Kenyan personnel helped secure key installations and supported local forces, though the mission faced challenges including limited numbers, persistent gang control in many areas, and allegations of misconduct that Kenya has firmly rejected.
The mission is now transitioning to the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), authorised to reach up to 5,500 personnel with a stronger mandate to directly confront armed groups.
The Kenyan withdrawal has been conducted in phases to ensure an orderly handover.
Earlier batches, including a group of 215 officers, returned home in March, with the full exit of Kenyan forces expected by April 30.
Initial elements of the new force, such as troops from Chad, are slated to begin arriving this month to bridge the gap.
While some Haitians appreciated the Kenyan effort against the gangs, others questioned the mission’s overall impact and sovereignty implications.
As Kenya bids farewell to its first major Caribbean deployment, Haiti braces for the next chapter in its long struggle for security and stability.
