PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Kenya’s ongoing peacekeeping mission in Haiti is beginning to yield tangible results, with children returning to school and signs of stability emerging in communities long devastated by gang violence.
This comes as Kenya’s Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Raymond Omollo celebrated the mission’s achievements, noting its impact on the country’s youth.
“Schools have reopened, and children who were once caught in the crossfire of gang wars are now back in classrooms, reclaiming their right to education and a brighter future,” PS Omollo stated in a message shared on his official X account.
Schools have reopened, and children who were once caught in the crossfire of gang wars are now back in classrooms, reclaiming their right to education and a brighter future. This milestone underscores the peacekeeping mission’s success in breaking the cycle of violence and…
He described this as a critical milestone in breaking the cycle of violence and fostering hope for Haiti’s future.
Kenya has taken the lead in the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti, which was authorized in October 2023 to help restore law and order in the Caribbean nation.
Haiti has faced worsening gang violence since 2018, with 2023 witnessing an alarming surge in homicides, kidnappings, and sexual violence.
Over 700,000 Haitians have been displaced, forcing many into overcrowded and unsafe shelters.
As part of its commitment, Kenya recently deployed 217 additional police officers to Haiti, bringing the total number of Kenyan personnel in the mission to over 600.
This deployment forms part of President William Ruto’s pledge to send 1,000 officers to assist Haiti’s police in reclaiming control from violent gangs.
The Kenyan-led force has already achieved significant progress, particularly in reclaiming areas previously under gang control.
PS Omollo emphasized the role of the mission in enabling Haiti’s children to return to school, calling it “a beacon of hope” for the country’s next generation.
The mission, however, faces ongoing challenges. Despite the recent progress, large parts of Haiti remain under the control of armed groups, and the humanitarian situation remains dire.
Nonetheless, the Kenyan government remains steadfast in restoring peace and empowering Haitians to rebuild their nation.
The Multinational Security Support Mission is a 12-month initiative that aims to stabilize Haiti’s volatile security environment and create conditions for sustainable peace.
Kenya’s leadership in the mission has drawn international praise, marking a pivotal moment in its foreign policy and peacekeeping efforts.
For Haiti, the return of children to classrooms is a small but meaningful step toward recovery—a reminder that even in the face of immense challenges, hope and resilience persist.
