230 Kenyan police officers arrive in Port-au-Prince to reinforce UN-backed GSF
A group of 100 officers will consequently return home, following the arrival of the 5th contingent, following the completion of their tour of duty.
The 5th contingent of Kenyan police officers has arrived in Port-au-Prince to enhance and scale up the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti.
The contingent comprising 230 specialised police officers touched down at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, accompanied by a delegation led by Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinett and Senior Assistant Inspector General James Kamau.
More To Read
- Kenyan police officers in Haiti to return home after year-long deployment
- UN veteran Jack Christofides appointed Special Representative for Haiti Gang Suppression Force
- Record cocaine seizure in Haitian waters underlines country’s ‘pivotal’ trafficking role
- Haiti security forces say era of unchecked gang power is over as crackdown intensifies
- Haiti, Panama and Curaçao seal historic World Cup spots
- ‘Kenya can’t do it alone’: US urges more nations to join Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force
The specialised officers will reinforce their Kenyan colleagues as well as their counterparts from Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Jamaica at the GSF.
"The personnel will form a crucial part of the United Nations authorised Gang Suppression Force approved by UN Security Council Resolution 2793 (2025). This is indeed a decisive step in GSF's commitment to working closely with the Haitian National Police (HNP)and other institutions in battling armed criminal gangs," a statement from GSF said.
Prior to their deployment, the officers underwent rigorous training, during which they committed to upholding international human rights law and a strict code of conduct while also embracing GSF's zero-tolerance for human rights violations.
A group of 100 officers will consequently return home, following the arrival of the 5th contingent, following the completion of their tour of duty.
The new team was received by the President of Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council, Laurent Saint-Cyr, GSF Force Commander Senior Assistant Inspector General Godfrey Otunge, the Commander Haitian armed forces, Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier, PNH Director General, Vladimir Paraison, members of the diplomatic corps, including ambassadors, André François GIROUX (Canada), Antoine Michon (France), Kenya's Consul General to Haiti, Noor Gabow and other senior state officials.
Saint-Cyr commended the departing officers for the role they played during their tour of duty and assured the remaining troops of a continued harmonious working relationship among the Haitian leadership, the Haitian armed forces and the PNH.
"The delegation head, Joseph Boinett, conveyed greetings from Kenya's President, William Ruto, to the Haitian leadership and people, reiterating that Kenya will stand with the Haitian people to ensure that peace and stability are achieved in Haiti in this phase of transition, while extending sincere appreciation to the International Community for the financial and material support offered so far," the statement adds.
While welcoming the troops, Force Commander Godfrey Otunge noted that their arrival comes at a critical moment, following the expanded GSF mandate, and will play a vital role in reinforcing, strengthening, and accelerating the progress already achieved.
Since its authorisation, the GSF has been conducting targeted counter-gang operations aimed at dismantling criminal organisations.
Top Stories Today
