EXPLAINER: Kenya’s Haiti Mission Achievements So Far
Many people were resistant and afraid before Kenyan police were dispatched to Haiti to help combat criminal gangs that were nearly taking over the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The case was argued in court, dragging the process out until June 2024, when the first team arrived in the war-torn city.
Since then, many people attribute their entrance with the Caribbean country’s current stability.
According to officials, if they had not arrived and taken up positions, the criminal gangs may have taken control of Port-au-Prince.
There was elation when the first squad of 100 Kenyan police officers dispatched to Haiti to combat criminal gangs returned to Nairobi after completing their mission.
Kenya’s 5th peacekeeping contingent arrives in Haiti as part of the Gang Suppression Force: A clear testament to our commitment to the stabilization of Haiti. @ForeignOfficeKE https://t.co/IeURDzimfm
— Korir Sing'Oei (@SingoeiAKorir) December 9, 2025
They were to end a year with a six-month extension under UN guidelines before changing.
The crew had spent 18 months in Haiti, confronting gangs seeking to take over Port-au-Prince.
The mission’s primary achievements include increased stability in Haiti, restored freedom of movement, the restoration of vital road networks, and substantial progress in training Haitian police, according to authorities.
Kenyan officers landed in June 2024, marking the beginning of the previous Multinational Security Support (MSS) operation.
Since then, four subsequent rotations have supported cooperative operations with the PNH, particularly in the West and Artibonite Departments, which are highly impacted by gang activity.
The first contingent, comprising 400 officers, and the second, made up of 200 personnel, were drawn from a cross-section of elite Kenyan police units, including the General Service Unit (GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) of the Administration Police.
Their professionalism and discipline have been widely recognised by both Haitian authorities and international partners.
The officers’ return follows a new UNSC resolution transitioning the UN mission into a specialised Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
On Thursday, December 4, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the role the Kenyan team has played in stabilising the country.
This came after he met with President William Ruto in Washington, DC, to discuss the team’s operations and other matters.
According to police, the team has made significant progress in stabilising the capital city. They were replaced by a fresh squad which arrived on Monday.
A fifth contingent of 230 trained police personnel arrived on Monday, providing a significant boost to Kenya’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
Kenya’s 5th Contingent of 230 Specialized police officers Arrived in Port-au-Prince on Monday for Security Reinforcement and Scale Up Gang Violence Suppression in Haiti. The troops escorted by Kenya’s Deputy National Security Advisor & Former IG,Joseph Boinett in company of Mr.… pic.twitter.com/vqilKLX6wg
— Chris Sambu (@the_sambu) December 9, 2025
The squad bolstered international attempts to restore security in Haiti amidst continued gang violence, while more than 100 others left Port-au-Prince after completing their mission.
The departing crew arrived in Nairobi on Tuesday evening and was greeted by senior police officers.
They were accompanied by Kenya’s Consul General to Haiti Noor Gabow and Deputy National Security Adviser Joseph Boinnet.
Since their deployment, at least three police officers have been killed in separate incidents in Haiti.
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The other officers returned safely after distinguished service under the Multi-National Security Support Mission, now known as the Gang Suppression Force.
Addressing the Haitian public directly, Otunge urged citizens to remain hopeful and assured them that the mission would continue until security is fully restored and conditions allow for “free, fair, and credible national elections.”
“We will win this fight. We will defeat those who have held communities hostage for far too long,” he said, calling on gang members to surrender and submit to state authority.
The arrival of the fifth Kenyan contingent marks the latest phase in the international effort to strengthen Haiti’s security institutions as the country continues to battle entrenched gang networks, chronic instability, and a longstanding humanitarian crisis.
EXPLAINER: Kenya’s Haiti Mission Achievements So Far
