PORT-AU-PRINCE: Haitian Police Addresses Fallout With Kenyan Mission
The Haitian National Police (HNP) has denied claims that it had a falling out with Kenyan peacekeepers assigned to the Multinational Security Support mission.
HNP issued a press statement on Saturday, February 22, refuting viral social media claims suggesting that Kenyan Commander Godfrey Otunge was feuding with Haitian Commander Rameau Normil.
According to the Haiti Police Service, despite concerted efforts to combat the gangs, several adversaries attempted to deflect public attention by spreading false claims on social media.
“Following the intensification of operations and interventions by the Haitian police in the West department aimed at dismantling gang centres, many detractors seek to divert the attention of the population by propagating false allegations through social networks,” HNP revealed.
The MSS is informed of misplaced and misinformed propaganda that is being circulated in various online media outlets by defeatists who have realized that at the start of decisive operations in earnest, the gangs’ days are numbered.
— Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti (@MSSMHaiti) February 21, 2025
Read More: 🔽 pic.twitter.com/2M0rGtRWdx
“As a result, HNP formally denies messages circulating suggesting that the Commander of the Haitian National Police, Rameau Normil, refuses to collaborate with the Commander-in-Chief of the MSS, Godfrey Otunge.”
While clarifying the situation, the HNP noted that its officers, together with Kenyan troops, collaborated on gang operations and were developing new tactics to combat crime in Haiti.
HNP went on to urge the general public, especially members of the press, to remain watchful and avoid being duped by those whom the officers described as troublemakers.
“HNP reiterates its commitment to fighting serious crime in all its forms to restore a climate of peace and security throughout the national territory,” the Haitian police noted.
The charges of fallout come a fortnight after Kenya’s government dispatched an additional 144 police officers, including 24 elite all-female SWAT teams, to the Caribbean country.
ALSO READ:
- Gov’t Issues Nairobi Railway City Progress Report Ahead Of July Completion Deadline
- CS Mbadi Allocates Ksh50 Billion To Ruto’s ‘Singapore Dream’ Projects
- Gov’t Increases eCitizen Fees As Basic Services Set To Cost More
- Meth Worth Ksh10 Million Nabbed At JKIA Packed On Handmade Clothes
- Court Rules On Amos Kimunya’s Ksh 60M Land Case, Frees Trio Implicated
Their arrival came months after President William Ruto’s administration dispatched a third contingent to the Asian country, increasing the total number of Kenyan police deployed in Haiti to 744.
Furthermore, the explanation came a day after the US government supplied 20 more armoured personnel carriers to help the peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
Ce jeudi 20 février, la zone de Fort-National est sous l'attaque incessante des bandits armés de la coalition VIV ANSANM.
— Jean Wesley Pierre (@JeanWesley1999) February 21, 2025
Maisons incendiées, civils blessés, un policier tué.
La population résiste avec des pierres et des machettes, mais est en grand danger.#Haiti #souffre #free pic.twitter.com/LNJ0ES7EMM
The US Department of State confirmed the arrival of the armoured vehicles on Thursday, February 20, and stated that the machinery was crucial in battling gang violence in the war-torn country.
“The 20 additional armoured personnel carriers in Port-au-Prince are for bolstering the 1,000 MSS personnel in the country to improve security for the people of Haiti and the region,” the US government announced.
PORT-AU-PRINCE: Haitian Police Addresses Fallout With Kenyan Mission
