It is barely four months since Kenya sent its first contingent to Haiti to help quell the gang violence witnessed in the Caribbean nation. The mission, which began as a success story for most Haitians, has since been marred by challenges ranging from late pay to inadequate equipment.
According to the New York Times, despite efforts to minimize gang violence, the mission to end gang rampage seems to have proven a case of sour grapes. Haiti’s persistent gang violence and governance problems have glaringly tainted the mission which began on a promising note.
In a recent interview with the publication, the Kenyan Commander Godfrey Otunge narrated how the Kenyan contingent was forced to sleep in their vehicles during an anti-gang operation in Gartheier, 20 miles from Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
The officers also had no food, forcing the Haitian National Police (HNP) to share their food with the Kenyan police officers. Nonetheless, that did not stop them from fighting the gangs. "Still, we pushed the gangs," Otunge stated.
Otunge highlighted major challenges faced by the officers during the mission, according to him, inadequate equipment posed an immense challenge in fighting the dreaded gangs.
“What surprised me so much when I came here is how the gangs could dare to attack in broad daylight. How on earth can this happen?” Otunge commented.
Four months into the mission, frustration is growing with a section of the Haitian population expressing dissatisfaction at how the Kenyan officers are conducting their operations at a rather slower pace.
Criminal gangs have taken control of more towns and blocked three main roads that lead to Port-au-Prince. “They came to help us and we do hope they will help us but we see no difference yet,” lamented a resident of Haiti.
The latest developments come even as Kenya prepares to send more officers to the war-ravaged nation. Speaking during his visit to Haiti, President Ruto pledged to send 600 more officers to the Caribbean nation.
“Our next batch, an additional 600, is undergoing redeployment training. We will be mission-ready in a few weeks and look forward to the requisite support to enable their deployment,” Ruto said.
The Head of State also exuded confidence in the Kenyan police even as he highlighted the significant progress the Kenyan officers had made in eradicating the gangs.
“There are many people who thought Haiti was mission impossible, but today they have changed their minds because of the progress you have made, the president commented.
