On Sunday, January 19, 2025, an additional contingent of 217 Kenyan officers from the Rapid Deployment Unit and a Special team comprising medical personnel, mechanics, and communications team among othersjoined the first contingent of 400 0fficers which arrived in Haiti in June 2024.
The deployment of NPS Officers follows the UNSC Resolution 2699, 2023, which authorized a Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti with Kenya as the lead country to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police (HNP) to re-establish security and stability in the Caribbean nation.
In a statement after the officers landed, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen said MSS and HNP have jointly accelerated efforts to ensure a reduction in crime and violence in the Caribbean country.
Among the achievements noted by Murkomen include the reopening of schools and colleges on October 2, 2024, and the subsequent reopening of courts on October 7, 2024.
“Civilian protection focus has ensured increased seizure of harmful exposure like drug, arms, and ammunition by the police and are an indication of efforts to cut off the major funding sources for gangs. MSS, in liaison with HNP, has conducted education on responsible and lawful behavior through community engagement These programs help in fostering a more cooperative environment between security agencies and the civilian population,” Murkomen noted.
Murkomen says that mission has prioritized the protection of children and educational institutions. Also, the officers are engaged in sensitization and outreach programs to discourage gang affiliation.
“MSS is supporting the HNP in securing the Police School with a four month fast –truck basic training of 747 cadets which began on 27th august 2024 and whose trainees successfully graduated on 10th January,” he added.
Among the major gangs that the government says have been destabilised include Jimmy Cherizier’s Delmas 6 gang, Vitel Homme Innocent’s Kraze Barye gang and Elan Luckson’s Gran Griff gang.
“It is a sobering perspective that Peace Keeping calls on our collective empathy for fellow human beings and it is our prayer that as a continent we will discover a system in which peace is more rewarding than war. When we are talking about human dignity, that should be without borders,” he added.
“We take this opportunity to express our gratitude to our officers and their families for the sacrifices they have made for humanity and peace. We are confident that the National Police Service track record of excellence in international policing, contribution to peace support operations will only get better.”
Murkomen says Kenya will support the mission by deployment of more officers from various Units within the service including GSU, Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the all- female Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).
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