PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s capital erupted in celebration as residents marked the withdrawal of Kenyan police officers from the UN-backed security mission, signaling the end of a controversial foreign deployment.
Videos circulating this week showed groups of Haitians staging peaceful demonstrations. Many carried placards and waved tree branches in symbolic gestures of relief.
The demonstrators paid tribute to the Kenyan officers, whose full withdrawal is expected by April 30. The gatherings remained largely festive, reflecting mixed but visible public reaction.
Kenyan police formed the backbone of the Multinational Security Support Mission, deployed in mid-2024 to support Haiti’s national police.
The mission was aimed at combating heavily armed gangs that have terrorised parts of Port-au-Prince and beyond.
The violence triggered mass displacement and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Kenya contributed the largest contingent, deploying more than 980 officers at the peak of the mission. Kenyan personnel helped secure key installations and supported local enforcement efforts.
However, the operation faced significant challenges. Gang control persisted in several مناطق, and the force struggled with limited personnel and operational constraints.
There were also allegations of misconduct against some officers, which Kenya consistently denied.
The mission is now transitioning to a new force under UN backing. The Gang Suppression Force is expected to have up to 5,500 personnel and a stronger mandate to confront armed groups directly.
Kenya’s withdrawal has been carried out in phases to ensure a smooth transition. Earlier contingents, including 215 officers, returned home in March.
Additional forces, including troops from Chad, are expected to begin arriving to support the new mission structure.
Reactions among Haitians remain mixed. Some residents welcomed the Kenyan presence and its efforts to restore order. Others raised concerns about sovereignty and the long-term effectiveness of foreign interventions.
The celebrations in Port-au-Prince highlight both relief and uncertainty as the country enters a new phase in its security response.
As Kenya concludes its first major Caribbean deployment, Haiti now turns to the next chapter in its efforts to restore stability and contain gang violence.
