Kenyan President Ruto Visits Haiti and Pledges Additional 600 Police Officers

Kenyan President William Ruto made a significant visit to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, to assess the progress of a Kenya-led security mission aimed at curbing the rampant gang violence that has plagued the Caribbean nation. The visit comes just days after a United Nations expert issued a stark warning about the deepening violence and insecurity in Haiti.

Ruto’s visit marks the first time a Kenyan leader has set foot in Haiti since the deployment of Kenyan police officers as part of the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). This mission was established to tackle the surge in gang-related violence that has spiralled out of control, particularly in the capital, where armed groups are believed to control approximately 80% of the territory.

Also read: Kenyan Police Land in Haiti to Lead International Task Force Against Gangs

During his visit, Ruto met with the Kenyan contingent and Haitian officials, including the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. He commended the Kenyan forces for their efforts, stating, “There are many people who thought Haiti was a mission impossible, but today they have changed their minds because of the progress you have made.” He also promised to work towards providing better equipment to the Kenyan forces, who have been actively patrolling alongside Haitian police to restore security.

Despite these assurances, the situation in Haiti remains dire. William O’Neill, a UN human rights expert on Haiti, recently highlighted the severe challenges faced by the MSS mission, which has deployed less than a quarter of its planned contingent. O’Neill criticised the mission’s lack of adequate resources, including helicopters, night vision goggles, and drones, which are crucial for effectively combating the well-armed gangs.

The Haitian National Police, still struggling with limited logistical and technical capacity, has been unable to effectively counter the gangs, leading to continued violence and displacement. As of August, more than 578,000 Haitians had been internally displaced due to the violence, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

Ruto’s visit coincides with increasing international scrutiny of the MSS mission, particularly as its mandate is set to expire in early October. The United States, a key backer of the deployment, has been pushing for more funding and personnel to bolster the mission. There is also speculation that the mission could transition into a full UN peacekeeping operation, a move that has been met with mixed reactions in Haiti due to past controversies involving UN interventions.

In his statements, Ruto expressed support for the idea of transitioning the current mission into a full-fledged UN peacekeeping operation, emphasising Kenya’s commitment to the cause. “On the suggestion to transit this into a fully UN Peacekeeping mission, we have absolutely no problem with it if that is the direction the UN Security Council wants to take,” he said.

Kenya has pledged to send an additional 600 police officers to Haiti, bringing the total Kenyan contingent to approximately 1,000. Other countries, including Benin, Chad, Bangladesh, and several Caribbean nations, have also pledged additional troops, which could bring the total force to around 2,500 personnel.

However, the mission’s effectiveness remains under scrutiny, with critics pointing out the slow pace of deployments and the limited impact on the ground. As the UN Security Council prepares to vote on the mandate renewal at the end of the month, the future of Haiti’s security efforts hangs in the balance.

The situation in Haiti is a race against time, with the international community facing mounting pressure to deliver effective solutions to restore order and prevent further humanitarian crises.