A new contingent of 200 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on Thursday (6 February), bolstering the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission aimed at tackling a surge in gang violence in the Caribbean nation.
The Kenyan officers will assist the Haitian National Police, who are overwhelmed by well-armed gangs that control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The Kenyan-led MSS mission has faced challenges amid financial uncertainty. Earlier this week, US president Donald Trump’s foreign aid freeze threatened critical funding for the mission, including $13 million slated for security efforts in Haiti. However, the US State Department granted waivers for $40.7 million in foreign aid for the Haitian mission and the police, ensuring continued resources for the mission. Kenyan president William Ruto praised the exemption, underlining the MSS’ strategic importance in stabilizing Haiti.
Gang violence in Haiti has escalated, with nearly 6,000 killed last year and over 1 million displaced. The MSS mission, while backed by the UN, is largely dependent on voluntary contributions and external funding. Despite the hurdles, the arrival of additional Kenyan officers signals renewed efforts to restore peace in a country still reeling from political instability and poverty. International support for the mission remains crucial, with Kenyan forces taking a leading role in tackling Haiti’s security crisis. Kenya remains a key US ally in East Africa, with cooperation spanning counterterrorism, regional stability, and economic development.