Kenyan police officers engage Haiti gangs in fierce gun battle

Kenyan police officers in Haiti were involved in a gun battle while patrolling a street in the Caribbean nation.

In a viral video, the officers equipped with heavily armoured vehicles could be seen in a convoy patrolling an empty street.

The street, showing signs of previous heavy fighting with numerous destroyed buildings, suddenly became the site of a fierce gunfight.

In the video, one officer is seen on the ground directing the convoy when gunfire erupts, sending the few people in the area running for safety. It remains unclear from the footage whether the Kenyan officers were directly attacked.

The General Service Unit's Recce team has been conducting patrols in local streets and the port, focusing on combating gangs.

In early July, the team received new equipment to support their operations, including armoured personnel carriers, choppers, and protective gear.

Joint patrols

Since their arrival, the Kenyan officers have been collaborating closely with the Haitian National Police, conducting strategic mappings and joint patrols in gang-controlled areas of Port-au-Prince.

A screengrab showing Kenyan police officers battling Haiti gangs.

President William Ruto flagged off the first group of officers on June 24, as part of Kenya’s commitment to deploy 1,000 troops to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support Mission.

The mission, authorised by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023, aims to combat the rampant gangs in Haiti.

On July 17, the second group of Kenyan police officers landed in the Haiti capital Port-au-Prince, bringing the total number of Kenyan police officers in Haiti to 396.

Another 600 officers are expected to join their colleagues in a UN-backed mission to restore law and order in the gang-ridden Caribbean nation.

The officers to be deployed will be drawn from the General Service Unit (GSU), Special Units and the Border Patrol Unit (BPU).

Godfrey Otunge, the commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), told Nation that they want Haiti to regain its stability.

"The MSS mission has to win this war against the gangs in Haiti. The Haitian National Police is working hand in hand with the Kenyan Contingent (KENCON) and the message has already been delivered. Haitian Prime Minister Gary Conille has been very supportive," he said.

"It is going to be business unusual. The work must be done; Haiti must regain its stability and become an economic powerhouse."

On July 15, a team of six senior officers from Jamaica also arrived in Haiti to carry out an assessment before sending soldiers to Port-au-Prince.

Kenyan police in Haiti will also be joined by forces from Chile, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria, and Mauritius to restore order in the troubled country.