200 Kenyan Police Officers Set To Leave For Haiti in the Coming Week

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Approximately 200 Kenyan police officers are set to deploy to Haiti next week as part of a UN-backed mission to enhance security in Port-au-Prince, following Kenya’s commitment to lead the effort since July 2023.
• This deployment aligns with President William Ruto’s visit to the United States, and Kenya’s involvement marks a significant step towards addressing the challenges posed by criminal gangs in Haiti, with the US government pledging $100 million to support the mission.

Next week, approximately 200 Kenyan police officers are set to embark on a mission to Haiti as part of a UN Security Council-backed effort to enhance security in Port-au-Prince. 

Kenya’s commitment to leading this initiative, pledged in July 2023, includes the deployment of 1,000 troops to address the challenges posed by criminal gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation.

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Reported by the Nation newspaper, the contingent, comprising elite units like the Recce squad, Rapid Deployment Force, and Special Operation Group, will arrive in Port-au-Prince around May 23 or 24, coinciding with President William Ruto’s official visit to the United States. 

The US government has pledged $100 million (Ksh.13 billion) to support this mission and is encouraging other nations to contribute similarly.

Operating from a recently established barrack by the US government, approximately half of the platoon will focus on securing critical infrastructure in Port-au-Prince, while the remainder will engage criminal gangs in close-quarter combat.

In March, President Ruto announced the signing of an agreement between Kenya and Haiti, a pivotal move facilitating Nairobi’s participation in the multinational security mission. 

This agreement, witnessed by Ruto and then-Prime Minister Henri, laid the groundwork for the deployment of Kenyan troops to Port-au-Prince.

Following this, in April, Kenya welcomed the swearing-in of the Haiti Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), entrusted with re-establishing key governmental organs crucial for restoring law and order in Port-au-Prince. 

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The 9-member council officially assumed its duties on April 25, formalizing the resignation of Prime Minister Henry. Michel Patrick Boisvert, former finance minister under Henry’s administration, will serve as interim prime minister until the council appoints a new leader, forms a cabinet, and establishes a provisional electoral council to oversee the country’s upcoming 2026 elections.