Three Haitian police officers injured during joint operation with Kenya Police against gangs

Three Haiti police officers are nursing injuries sustained after an encounter with armed during the first major joint operation between the Haiti National Police (HNP) and the Kenya police deployed under the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM).

An update by the mission reported that the joint operations led by the Haitian Police DG, Normil Rameau and MSSM Force Commander Godfrey Otunge commenced in the wee hours of Tuesday morning and targeted operational areas of Bel-Air district and Solino cordoned off before kicking off.

"This being the first biggest targeted operation, locals were informed about the operations, and gangsters who tried to stage resistance escaped through the narrow streets. The HNP Police were slightly injured during the operation and are still receiving treatment," the statement said.

The operations happened a day after the arrival of more equipment and tactical vehicles from the US continued as efforts to ensure the resumption of peace and normalcy in the country.

Haitian Prime Minister joined the HNP DG and MSSM force commander in sending a warning to armed gangs that similar operations would continue if they failed to surrender their weapons, surrender to the government and be ready to face prosecution for their actions.

The operation was hailed by locals as key in driving the gangs out of their hideouts, urging that similar operations be sustained under the leadership of the mission and with the support of the local forces.

At the same time, US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman confirmed that the Kenyan officers in the mission will receive their salaries between Wednesday and Thursday, adding that she regretted the delay in remittances. She spoke during an interview on Citizen TV on Tuesday night.

The officers have gone for two months without pay, raising concerns amongst their relatives back at home.

The National Police Service however confirmed that the officers were still receiving their Kenya police salaries back at home.