Kenyan President William Ruto announced Sunday that his country will send an additional 600 police officers to Haiti in the coming weeks, bringing the total Kenyan contingent to 1,000 in an effort to combat gang violence plaguing the Caribbean nation.
During a visit to Haiti, Ruto addressed Kenyan officers at their base in Port-au-Prince, commending their progress and expressing support for transforming the current Kenya-led security mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation.
“There are many people who thought Haiti was mission impossible, but today they have changed their minds because of the progress you have made,” Ruto told the officers.
The increased deployment comes as Haiti continues to grapple with widespread gang violence, particularly in the capital and surrounding areas. UN human rights expert William O’Neil warned Friday that gangs are expanding their control to new territories, causing further displacement.
O’Neil criticized the current multinational security mission for being inadequately equipped, calling for helicopters, night vision goggles, and drones. He noted that less than a quarter of the planned contingent has been deployed since the UN Security Council authorized the mission in October 2023.
The UN expert also highlighted the ongoing influx of arms and ammunition into Haiti despite an international embargo, enabling gangs to extend their reach. He reported a drastic increase in sexual violence and said more than 700,000 people are now displaced.
Ruto promised to seek better equipment for the Kenyan forces and emphasized their collaboration with Haitian authorities. “Our next batch, an additional 600, is undergoing redeployment training. We will be mission-ready in a few weeks’ time,” he stated.
The UN Security Council is expected to meet by the end of the month to decide on renewing Kenya’s mandate for another 12 months, potentially paving the way for a full UN mission in 2025.
As Haiti’s security crisis persists, international observers stress the urgent need for a comprehensive and well-equipped response to address the country’s complex challenges.
