First batch of 400 police to return from Haiti

By Newsflash Reporter

The first group of Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti under an international mission is preparing to return home, Newsflash has learned.

Reliable sources within the security apparatus reveal that the officers could arrive back in Kenya as early as next month.

The personnel are drawn from different National Police Service units, including the elite Recce Squad, Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), and General Service Unit (GSU).
“They left in June last year and were initially assigned a one-year mission,” a source familiar with the matter said.

Newsflash has gathered that the officers have been informed about their scheduled return and are now making preparations for the trip back.
The officers were dispatched to assist in restoring stability in Haiti, a country struggling with rampant gang violence and political turmoil.

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“The replacements for the returning officers have already been selected and are currently undergoing training,” another insider disclosed.
Their deployment followed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699, which sanctioned the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
Led by Kenya, the mission aims to support the Haitian National Police in tackling the severe security challenges facing the nation.

Mission challenges and welfare concerns

Nevertheless, the mission has encountered multiple hurdles, notably delayed payments and inadequate equipment supplies.
In March, Newsflash exclusively reported that some Kenyan officers stationed in Haiti voiced frustrations over unpaid allowances and substandard living conditions.
They alleged they had not received their hardship allowances, despite prior agreements made before deployment.
In response, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration acknowledged the grievances and pledged to resolve the issues.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki (then Interior Cabinet Secretary) assured that the government was collaborating with the United Nations to safeguard the officers’ welfare.
Despite these difficulties, the officers have been praised for playing a key role in bringing relative calm to parts of Haiti.
Recently, a senior Kenyan delegation visited Haiti to evaluate the mission’s progress firsthand.
The team, led by Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei and Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome, held talks with Haitian leaders and UN officials.

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They also engaged directly with the Kenyan officers to hear their concerns and boost their morale.
Newsflash has established that Kenya remains committed to the success of the mission and will continue its support for Haiti’s stabilization efforts.
This deployment was a landmark moment for Kenya, marking the first time the country led an international security operation outside Africa.
The MSS mission is projected to last at least one year, with a possibility of extension depending on how the situation evolves.