Kenyan Police Arrive in Haiti for UN-Backed Anti-Gang Mission Amid Security Crisis

Kenya has deployed its first contingent of 400 police officers to Haiti as part of a UN-backed mission to combat gang violence that has surged in the aftermath of President Jovenel Moïse's assassination. The gangs, which control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, have left over 580,000 people homeless and killed thousands in recent years. This deployment marks the fourth major foreign intervention in Haiti, though previous missions were marred by controversies including allegations of sexual assault and cholera outbreaks. While some Haitians welcome the help, others are cautious, emphasizing the need for transparency on the mission's rules of engagement and overall strategy. The Kenyan-led force aims to restore security to facilitate elections and assist the beleaguered Haitian police force, which has only 9,000 officers against an estimated 8,000 gang members. The UN Security Council authorized the mission in October 2023, and the deployment will be reviewed after nine months.