Haiti has welcomed another group of Kenyan security officers as part of the expanding international mission aimed at dismantling criminal gangs and restoring stability in the country.
Laurent Saint-Cyr, Haiti’s President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transition Council, greeted the fifth contingent of 230 specialized Kenyan police officers upon their arrival at Toussaint Louverture International Airport. They were joined by Kenya’s Deputy National Security Advisor, Joseph Boinett, and Principal Deputy Inspector General James Kamau, who accompanied the team to Haiti.
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Senior Haitian and international officials were also present, including Gang Suppression Force (GSF) Commander Godfrey Otunge, Commander of the Armed Forces of Haiti Lt. Gen. Derby Guerrier, Acting Police Chief Vladimir Paraison, members of the PNH High Command, diplomats from Canada and France, and Kenya’s Consul General in Haiti, Noor Gabow.
The GSF, authorized by the United Nations Security Council in September, is expected to grow to 5,500 police and military personnel. The mission’s focus includes dismantling heavily armed gangs, securing humanitarian corridors, and building Haiti’s long-term security capacity through intelligence-driven operations and targeted arrests. The renewed international push comes as gangs continue efforts to undermine the transitional government following the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
The arrival of the new Kenyan officers coincided with the departure of 100 Kenyan personnel whose rotation had ended. President Saint-Cyr thanked the outgoing team for their service and assured the newly arrived officers of close cooperation between Haitian authorities, the Armed Forces of Haiti, and the Haitian National Police.
GSF Commander Otunge said the force has incorporated lessons learned from the earlier Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and emphasized the critical timing of the deployment, noting that the expanded mandate gives the GSF greater ability to accelerate progress already underway.
Boinett delivered greetings from Kenya’s President William Ruto and reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to supporting Haiti through its transitional period. Additional personnel from Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Jamaica have also joined the multinational effort.
Commander Otunge told the new arrivals they will play a vital and timely role in strengthening security operations, consolidating gains, and helping move Haiti closer to stability.
