‘Nothing Has Changed’ – Haitians Lament Of Kenyan Police Officers’ Ineffectiveness Against Gangs
Haitians have urged the Kenyan contingent that was recently deployed to the Caribbean nation for a peacekeeping mission to begin hunting down gangs.
According to the Washington Post, frustration was growing among Haitian citizens who complained about peacekeepers’ delays in combating escalating gang violence.
According to Haitians who spoke with the US-based news outlet, if the mission does not begin conducting operations that result in victories over the gangs soon, they will begin to dislike its presence.
Teenage gang leader, allegedly, hunting for Kenya police in Haiti pic.twitter.com/RWuWfIiMiF
— omondi okelo (@OOdouble) July 10, 2024
“Nothing has changed in my life, and I lack increased confidence in my security. I don’t understand why the Kenyans are here,” said one Haitian who spoke to the Washington Post.
“I don’t feel the effect of the Kenyans’ presence,” he added.
Meanwhile, a Kenyan police officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the force was still waiting for additional equipment to arrive before beginning operations.
“We’re ready. We have more training than the gangs. We can kick them out. We’re going to attack the gangs where they are hidden,” claimed the Kenyan officer.
Haitian police officers, on the other hand, expressed concern about the mission, with several stating that they are still unsure how the peacekeeping mission will work because the Kenyan officers are not directly involved in fighting the gangs.
The local police in Haiti alongside Kenya Police recaptured largest hospital in Port-au-Prince from gangs.
— Douglas Lekupuny (@DouglasLekupuny) July 10, 2024
The Hospital of the State University of Haiti was held hostage for 4 months.
Video shows hospital wall riddled with bullets
Boniface Mwangi,Uhuru Kenyatta, #Luos,#Traitor. pic.twitter.com/ALmRkhfJPV
The officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed the Kenyan officers were better armed and paid a much higher salary, adding that the Haitians were expected to bear the majority of the risk.
“We are going to be at the forefront, but with what weapons?” one Haitian police officer revealed.
“The Kenyans shouldn’t be patrolling the streets,” said another. “They should be attacking the gangs. They have the resources we lack, including firepower.”
The call for immediate action against the gangs comes in the wake of dreaded gang leader Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbecue’s call for a national dialogue.
Barbecue, while addressing the press on July 5, told interim Prime Minister Garry Conille that he was willing to lay down his arms to initiate a national dialogue to restore normalcy.
“We have decided to publicly announce that our strategy of laying down arms to facilitate national dialogue and promote peace is already written in black and white on our agenda,” said Barbecue.
‘Nothing Has Changed’ – Haitians Lament Of Kenyan Police Officers’ Ineffectiveness Against Gangs
