Challenges Facing Kenyan Police in Haiti: Equipment Shortages and Pay Issues

Kenyan police officers in Haiti face low morale due to equipment shortages and pay issues, hampering their mission to combat gangs in Port-au-Prince. Delays in deployment and funding have compounded these problems, with officers citing inadequate resources and delayed payments as significant concerns.

Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti are grappling with low morale due to equipment shortages and unresolved pay issues, significantly hindering their ability to combat heavily armed gangs in Port-au-Prince, according to four officers who spoke to Reuters.

The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya and authorized by the U.N. Security Council in October, aims to restore security in Haiti by February 2026. However, the mission has faced delays due to political unrest, legal challenges, and funding issues. The initial contingent of nearly 400 officers arrived in Port-au-Prince in late June, but the mission's progress has been hampered by insufficient funds, with the U.N. falling over $150 million short of the estimated $589 million needed for the first year.

Despite recent deliveries of additional vehicles and equipment from the U.S. Government, officers remain concerned about their ability to meet mission deadlines. Issues such as limited communication resources and pay irregularities have further undermined their effectiveness, raising questions about the mission's capacity to bring lasting security to Haiti.

(With inputs from agencies.)