Africa-Press – Kenya. A fifth batch of Kenyan police officers on Monday, December 8 arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, for security reinforcement under the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The contingent of 230 specialised police officers touched down at Toussaint Louverture International Airport alongside Joseph Boinett, the Deputy National Security Advisor to President William Ruto.
They were received by the President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, Laurent Saint-Cyr, alongside other top members of the Haitian authorities.
At the same time, another contingent of 100 police officers is expected to travel back to Kenya after completing their one-and-a-half-year mission in the war-ravaged Caribbean nation.
Addressing the delegation moments after the troops’ arrival, Boinett conveyed greetings from President Ruto to the people of Haiti and its leadership.
He reiterated Ruto’s message that Kenya will continue to stand with the Haitian people to ensure that peace and stability are achieved, particularly during the current phase of transition.
Boinnet also extended gratitude to all the GSF personnel and applauded the troops leaving Haiti for exemplary duties towards the realisation of the mandate, further promising continued collaboration between Kenya and all GSF actors.
On his part, GSF Commander Godfrey Otunge welcomed the troops, noting that their arrival comes at a critical moment and that their presence will help in reinforcing, strengthening, and accelerating the progress already made.
Boinnet further revealed that the new personnel had undergone rigorous training and were committed to upholding international human rights law and a strict code of conduct in their operations.
The troops are expected to work in close coordination with the Haitian authorities, including the Haitian National Police and the country’s military, in eliminating the gangs.
The latest development comes hardly a week after President Ruto expressed his commitment to fully supporting Haiti in ending the rampant gang violence that has crippled the country’s progress for years.
Speaking on December 5 in the US, during the signing of the Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo peace treaty, Ruto said Kenya remains engaged in Haiti, further thanking Trump’s administration for mobilising resources to support the mission.
