Kenya has deployed hundreds of additional police officers to Haiti to help control violent gangs that dominate much of the country, particularly the capital, Port-au-Prince. This move comes as the Caribbean nation faces an ongoing political and security crisis.
The United Nations estimates that armed gangs control up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, where crimes including murder, rape, looting, and kidnappings are widespread.
The crisis escalated in early 2024 when gangs forced then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign, leaving the country under a fragile transitional government. Haiti has not held national elections in nine years, with legislative and presidential elections now planned for summer 2026.
Kenya has been leading a UN-backed multinational security mission in Haiti since 2023, but the force has faced challenges due to being under-equipped and underfunded. The mission currently has about 1,000 of the 2,500 officers originally expected.
On Monday, 230 additional Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti to replace 100 officers whose mission ended, maintaining the country’s security efforts against gangs.
The UN Security Council has also approved the development of a more robust anti-gang force to stabilize the nation.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, continues to struggle with political instability, widespread crime, and humanitarian challenges, making international support crucial to restoring order.
