Hours after 400 troops from Kenya flew to Haiti, the residents have shared mixed feelings on the success of the peacekeeping mission led by Kenya.
The citizens while speaking with Africa News on Tuesday, some of the citizens in Port-au-Prince were hopeful that the deployment would quell the violence which has prevailed for years.
Some of them welcomed the officers who are part of the 1,000 officers set to be deployed to the Caribbean nation in the coming weeks.
"They have to be everywhere in the country if we are going to be free," one of the residents stated.
They have called upon the troops to take charge of the whole country in order for all Haitians to finally carry out their daily activities in peace. Notably, many Haiti residents have been subjected to assault and others have lost their lives in the hands of the gangs.
However, others argued that the foreigners including troops from Kenya and other nations would not solve their problem but as Haitians, they need to draft a solution.
"We have been suffering for four years," one of the residents stated arguing that the mission has taken too long to begin.
"If there is anything that the state authorities could have done, they would have done it. We are in prison here, we can't go anywhere, we can't go to the countryside," he added.
Additionally, Haitians have urged the Kenyan troops and other foreigners in the country to exercise caution when dealing with the violent gangs which have taken over large parts of the country.
This comes after President William Ruto flagged 400 police officers who were destined for Haiti on Monday.
President Ruto was accompanied by other security leaders including Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and the clergy who prayed for the troops.
"Kenya has solid credentials in peace-making and conflict resolution globally. Our police officers' presence in Haiti will give relief to the men, women and children whose lives have been broken by gang violence. We will work with the international community to bring lasting stability in Haiti,' Ruto stated on Monday.
Kenya is expected to lead the peacekeeping mission and will receive manpower support from Benin, Jamaica, and the Bahamas among others. The mission has also received multibillion funding from the US, Canada and other international players.
The country agreed to lead the mission in 2023 but it had faced numerous challenges including lack of funding, court cases and the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
However, President Ruto has assured that Kenya is committed to helping Haiti restore peace.
