The first batch of Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti returned home on Tuesday December 09, after an 18-month peacekeeping mission under the Multi-National Security Support Mission.
The 230 officers are part of a larger deployment of about 800 officers that has been in Haiti since June 2024 drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) of the Administration Police.
National Security Advisor Ambassador Monica Juma led the reception ceremony at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), flanked by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, and Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service (APS), Gilbert Masengeli, who praised the officers for their integrity and discipline.
Since their deployment in 2024, Kenyan troops have achieved notable progress in stabilising and returning order in Haiti.
The officers have been involved in reopening critical infrastructure such as road networks, boosting local security, and overseeing the training and capacity building of the Haitian Police.
Prior to their deployment, Haiti’s gangs were reportedly involved in mass killings, gang rapes, extortion and arson, with the escalating conflict forcing nearly 1.4 million people to flee their homes.
Kenya’s contribution in the stabilisation has received praise internationally, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noting that the progress achieved would serve as a foundation for the next phase of US strategy in Haiti.
He acknowledged that Kenya has been a key partner across multiple areas including counterterrorism which has helped restore order in Haiti.
“Without Kenya’s involvement, the situation in the country could have been far more challenging. Our gratitude for the role they have played is extraordinary,” Rubio said,
The UN Security Council in September approved converting the existing mission into a larger Gang Suppression Force, after initial deployments fell short of the 2,500 it had hoped for.
With the new structure is authorized to deploy up to 5,500 personnel, a new contingent of 230 Kenyan police arrived in Haiti on Monday, marking the first foreign deployment since the UN Security Council approved the expansion.
The deployment marks Kenya’s 5th batch to Haiti, reflecting Kenya’s commitment to global security and humanitarian protection.
Reports reveal that officers under international missions would earn up to Sh280,000 per month, including all allowances.
The United Nations reimbursement system, set up by the General Assembly for countries providing personnel to UN field operations, also establishes a base salary of Sh180,000 ($1,410).
On departure, the officers were given Ksh 5 million to leave with their families with a promise of another Ksh 5 million on return, making it a total of Ksh 10 million honararia.
