Kenya will send an additional 600 police officers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-supported initiative aimed at addressing escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. The deployment is expected to occur in early November, according to the country’s police chief.
President William Ruto announced the additional officers following discussions with Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Garry Conille, where both leaders emphasized the need for increased support from the international community.
“After completing pre-deployment training, a contingent of 600 officers will join the Kenyan police already operating in Haiti,” stated Douglas Kanja, Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, during a press conference alongside Conille in Nairobi.
Kenya is spearheading a multinational effort to combat rising insecurity in Haiti, having already dispatched 400 police personnel. Kanja addressed concerns regarding previous delays in salary payments for the officers on the ground, confirming that the issue has been resolved.
On Friday, Ruto urged global partners to “urgently” support the mission, which has faced ongoing financial challenges. “This is the time to offer that essential assistance for us to effectively carry out the task ahead,” he stated, a sentiment echoed by Conille.
Conille’s visit to Kenya follows a recent surge in violence, including a brutal attack by gang members in Ponte Sonde, approximately 100 kilometers from Port-au-Prince, which resulted in 109 fatalities and around 40 injuries.
The U.N. Security Council extended the policing mission for another year last month, without converting it into a full U.N. peacekeeping operation as requested by the Haitian government. According to the U.N. human rights office, over 3,600 individuals have lost their lives to violent gang-related incidents in Haiti this year alone.