[VIDEO] Kenya’s Police In Haiti Blocked From Leaving As Haitians Protest The Withdrawal
Haitian citizens attempted to disrupt the departure of the last contingent of Kenyan police officers.
The officers are set to leave the country and return home to Kenya after completing their mission in the Caribbean country.
In videos shared online, Haitians are seen demonstrating, barricading roads and attempting to prevent the officers from leaving Petite Riviere and Pont-Sonde.
According to witnesses at the scene, the demonstrations were caused by fears that the withdrawal of the Kenyan-led contingent would leave them exposed to gang violence.
Civilians in Haiti blocked the movement of Kenyan police officers to St. Marks and Pont Sonde protesting their planned departure fearing the end of the peace mission will leave them vulnerable to gangs.
— NairobiNews.co.ke (@NairobiNews254) April 20, 2026
Helicopters were used to carry the officers out of Petite Rivière and Pont… pic.twitter.com/ewtZbE89fX
“All these people have come from St. Mark. They are blocking Kenyan officers from leaving Haiti. They will interfere even with the helicopter,” one witness was captured saying.
“Getting the officers out of here has been a problem,” another one stated.
Witnesses reported tense scenes as residents erected roadblocks and gathered in large numbers.
In another video, hundreds of Haitians are seen at the gate of what looked like the area the Kenyan officers were trying to access, as the police moved around trying to control the situation.
In response to the demonstrations, authorities deployed helicopters to evacuate officers from the area, as protesters barricaded roads.
The protests came days after jubilations filled Haiti’s capital in what was translated as a celebration after Kenya announced it would withdraw its officers from the country.
This now brings mixed reactions as some are seen celebrating the withdrawal, while others are protesting against the same.
Kenyan officers in Haiti concluded their mission with contingents starting to return home in mid-March.
Those who remained were set to return recently before being blocked.
ALSO READ:
- KMTC Announces Fresh Guidelines On Student Deferment, Course Change & Transfers
- EMBU: Autopsy Reveals How Hospital Protestors Died, Bullets Recovered
- Top Diplomats Exchange Blows Inside Nairobi Embassy, Investigations Underway
- “Do Not Use Excessive Force!” – Police Warned Ahead Of Fuel Protests
- Huduma Kenya Announces Major Service Disruptions at GPO Centre
The Kenyan officers achieved tangible successes, including securing critical infrastructure like the main airport and hospitals, reopening major roads, and facilitating the return of over 2,000 Haitian police officers.
They also partially stabilised Port-au-Prince, allowing for some resumption of normalcy and freedom of movement.
Their return follows the end of their 18-month deployment under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, with Chad taking over security efforts in a new, separate force.
The transition is part of a revamped United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) aimed at strengthening Haiti’s capacity to combat powerful armed gangs.
The UN-backed mission is expected to expand significantly by October this year, with the Security Council planning to increase the force to approximately 5,500 personnel.
Kenya’s Police In Haiti Blocked From Leaving As Haitians Protest The Withdrawal
