Godwin Shaibu
Kenya has deployed 230 more elite police officers to Haiti, marking its fifth contingent to join the multinational effort aimed at suppressing gang violence in the Caribbean nation. This deployment comes as the security situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, with gangs increasingly controlling key areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince. According to UN reports, gangs now control an estimated 90% of the city, with Viv Ansanm, a coalition of the previously rival G-9 and G-Pèp groups, leading the violence that has displaced over 1.3 million people.
Since Kenya first sent its police contingent to Haiti in 2024, the country has contributed over 700 personnel in total, including officers specializing in tactical operations and crowd management. These previous contingents, operating under the former Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission badge, focused on training local forces, conducting high-risk operations, and securing vulnerable neighborhoods. While their efforts temporarily stabilized certain districts, gang activities have persisted and expanded into new areas, demonstrating the limits of the initial mission.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe new contingent arrives under the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) badge, reflecting an updated mandate approved by the United Nations Security Council in October 2025. This restructuring expands operational scope, improves coordination with Haitian authorities, and strengthens intelligence-led operations to counter increasingly sophisticated gang networks. The GSF is authorized to field up to 5,500 personnel, aiming to secure infrastructure, restore civilian access to essential services, and support local police capacity.
Kenya’s continued involvement underscores both the scale of Haiti’s security challenges and the international community’s reliance on multinational support to restore order. Observers note that the success of this initiative will depend on sustained collaboration, clear operational objectives, and tangible improvements in the safety of Haitian civilians amid one of the most severe gang crises in recent Haitian history.
