The fourth Kenyan contingent of police officers joining the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission arrived in Haiti on the evening of Thursday, February 6.
Kenya deployed 144 additional police officers, including an elite all-female SWAT team.
The all-female SWAT team is a highly skilled tactical unit that brings specialized expertise to the field. Like their male counterparts, they are expected to enhance operations as they collaborate with the Haitian National Police (HNP).
This now brings the total number of Kenyan police in Haiti to 744. The first, second, and third contingent of police comprised of 600 police officers. The Kenyan government had pledged to send 1,000 personnel.
While seeing the police off, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen praised Kenya's efforts in the peacekeeping mission, describing it as noble.
In response to a question about why Kenya sent its police to the mission, the CS compared the mission to a calling from God, asserting that Kenya is ready to serve.
"Many people ask, why Kenya? But for those of us who are ready to serve, we ask, why not? And if it is not us, then who? We are borrowing from the Bible: 'If He calls me, I will answer.' This is a noble mission that has enabled us to respond to a momentous call," the CS stated.
Murkomen further noted that Kenya is unwaveringly committed to the mission despite evolving challenges.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump’s administration announced that it had withdrawn financial contributions to the mission. However, the State Department clarified on Wednesday, February 5, that it was maintaining most of its aid.
The Kenyan team was welcomed by Haitian government officials, led by the President of the Transition Presidential Council (TPC), Leslie Voltaire, alongside Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aimé, Haiti National Police Director General Normil Rameau, and MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge.
The Kenya-led MSS mission, backed by the United Nations Trust Fund for Haiti, has received support from countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Belize.
The Kenyan-led MSS Mission, under United Nations auspices, has been in Haiti since 2023 and is expected to remain until September 2025.
