PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti’s transitional leadership has formally received the fifth deployment of Kenyan specialized police personnel, marking a significant reinforcement of the multinational security initiative combating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. Interim President Laurent Saint-Cyr personally welcomed the 230-strong contingent at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on Monday, signaling the growing international cooperation against organized criminal elements seeking to destabilize the country.
The arrival ceremony witnessed high-level participation from both Haitian and international representatives. Kenya’s delegation included Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinett and Principal Deputy Inspector General James Kamau. The Haitian side featured Armed Forces Commander Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier and Acting Police Director Vladimir Paraison, alongside diplomatic officials from Canada, France, and Kenya’s Consul General Noor Gabow.
This deployment occurs within the framework of the United Nations-approved Gang Repression Force (FRG), which received Security Council authorization in September. The international security contingent is projected to eventually reach 5,500 military and police personnel from multiple nations. The mission’s operational mandate encompasses gang dismantlement operations, securing humanitarian corridors, and enhancing local law enforcement capabilities through intelligence-driven missions and arrest authorities.
The rotation coincided with the departure of 100 Kenyan officers concluding their service term. President Saint-Cyr acknowledged their contributions while assuring continued coordination between Haitian authorities and international forces. FRG Commander Godfrey Otunge emphasized operational improvements based on previous mission experiences, committing to actions aligned with Haiti’s national interests.
Kenyan representatives reiterated their nation’s commitment to Haitian stability, with Boinett conveying President William Ruto’s solidarity message: ‘Kenya will stand with the Haitian people to guarantee peace and stability during this transitional phase.’ The newly arrived officers join existing contingents from Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, expanding the international security presence at a critical juncture in Haiti’s security landscape.