Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo has provided a status update on Kenya’s ongoing peacekeeping mission in gang-ravaged Haiti.
In his update, Omollo highlighted the Kenyan-led police mission’s significant progress in restoring stability, particularly in the education sector.
Omollo shared videos of Kenyan police engaging with pupils in the French-speaking nation, teaching them Swahili songs in their classrooms.
“The Kenya Police, leading the UN-supported peacekeeping mission in Haiti, has achieved remarkable progress in restoring stability, particularly in the education sector,” Omollo said.
“For years, gang violence plagued communities, with school-age children often recruited as pawns in these conflicts, depriving them of education and a sense of normalcy. Schools have reopened, and children who were once caught in the crossfire of gang wars are now back in classrooms, reclaiming their right to education and a brighter future.”
Omollo emphasized that the mission’s success represents a critical step toward breaking the cycle of violence and providing hope for Haiti’s youth.
“Schools have reopened, and children who were once caught in the crossfire of gang wars are now back in classrooms, reclaiming their right to education and a brighter future.
“This milestone underscores the peacekeeping mission’s success in breaking the cycle of violence and championing hope in Haiti’s youth, ensuring they are equipped to rebuild their nation,” Omollo added.
217 more troops deployed
This update follows the recent deployment of 217 additional Kenyan police officers to Haiti on Friday, January 17, 2025.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, PS Omollo, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, and other senior officials oversaw the deployment.
“Our additional troops to the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti arrived safely in Port-au-Prince and were received by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime and other government officials.
“The PM hailed the reinforcement as a crucial step in restoring order in the country. The contingent was accompanied by the Deputy National Security Advisor Mr. Joseph Boinnet, Deputy Inspector General Administration Police Service, Mr. Gilbert Masengeli, and Commandant-General Service Unit, Mr. Ranson Lolmodooni,” Murkomen said after the troop landed in Haiti.
On Tuesday, January 21, 2025, State House announced that Kenyan police had intensified patrols in major Haitian towns.
“The Kenyan Police have ramped up patrols in key towns as calm returns to the gang-ridden nation. Patrols are conducted day and night, combining ground operations with aerial surveillance through drone technology to keep gangs at bay,” the statement read.
On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, President William Ruto announced another milestone: the Kenyan police handed over a base to their Guatemalan counterparts to further enhance security.
“National Police Service officers under the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti handed over the Third Forward Operating Base to Guatemalan troops participating in the peace mission. Hongera!” Ruto wrote.
Kenya first deployed troops to Haiti in June 2024, and the total number now exceeds 600, with plans to increase to 1,000 as part of the UN-backed force.
Gang violence in Haiti has displaced more than 700,000 people in recent years, forcing many into makeshift and unsanitary shelters after gunmen razed their homes.
According to the United Nations, over 5,600 people were killed across Haiti last year, marking a 20% increase from 2023.
Additionally, more than 2,200 were reported injured, and nearly 1,500 were kidnapped.
