Kenyan Officers Embark on Historic Mission to Tackle Gang Violence in Haiti

The first contingent of Kenyan police officers is set to depart for Haiti to address rampant gang violence, in a mission spearheaded by Kenya with international support. Despite delays due to court challenges and security issues, the mission aims to restore order and affirm global solidarity.

The first Kenyan police officers assigned to a mission to tackle rampant gang violence in Haiti are leaving Kenya imminently, four officers on the mission and a former police officer said on Monday. Kenya volunteered last July to lead an international force to tackle violence in the Caribbean nation, where gangs control most of the capital Port-au-Prince and have carried out widespread killings, kidnappings and sexual violence.

The deployment has been repeatedly delayed by court challenges at home and a deterioration of security in Haiti, which in March forced the acting prime minister to resign. Four officers, who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said their weapons and personal belongings had been collected Sunday evening to be loaded onto the plane.

Kenya's government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. President William Ruto on Monday held a departure ceremony for 400 officers who will be the first contingent to deploy to Haiti.

"This mission is one of the most urgent, important and historic in the history of global solidarity. It is a mission to affirm the universal values of the community of nations, a mission to take a stand for humanity," Ruto said. Another group of around 600 officers will join the first contingent later, the four officers said. They said they expected to stop in a third country before reaching Haiti.

A former police officer in contact with members of the mission said the plane would depart on Tuesday. In addition to Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Chad and Bangladesh have pledged personnel to the 2,500-strong mission, which is being funded primarily by the United States.

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