Kenyan Police Officers Patrol Haitian Capital in Effort to Combat Escalating Gang Violence
Kenyan police officers were deployed to patrol the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, on Wednesday, July 3, 2024.
This marks the first time a foreign police unit has been deployed in Haiti to combat the escalating gang violence that has displaced over 580,000 individuals in recent months.
The Kenyan police officers, equipped with body armor and automatic weapons, were stationed near the international airport and drew the attention of onlookers.
However, they did not encounter any confrontations with gangs during their patrol.
The deployment of the Kenyan police is part of the United Nations-supported Multinational Security Support Mission aimed at restoring peace in Haiti.
The mission will see hundreds of police officers from various countries, including the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, join the effort to combat armed criminal gangs.
Haiti’s Prime Minister, Garry Conille, expressed gratitude for the support, emphasizing the urgent need to address the violence perpetrated by armed groups. “Haiti is currently at a critical point, with 12,000 armed individuals holding a population of 12 million hostage,” Conille said.
The deployment of the Kenyan police marks a significant step towards addressing the security challenges in Haiti.
The UN has hailed the move as a glimmer of hope for the people of Haiti, who have been suffering at the hands of criminal gangs for months.
The Multinational Security Support Mission aims to support the Haitian law enforcement agencies in restoring peace and stability in the country.
The mission will also focus on capacity building, training, and mentoring of the Haitian police to enable them to effectively combat gang violence.
The deployment of foreign police officers in Haiti is a significant development in the efforts to address the security challenges in the country.
The move is expected to bring much-needed relief to the people of Haiti, who have been living in fear of gang violence for months.