NAIROBI, Kenya — Tensions flared in parts of central Haiti as civilians reportedly blocked exit routes used by Kenyan police officers, fearing their departure could leave communities exposed to renewed gang violence as the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission winds down.
Amateur footage from Petite Rivière and Pont-Sondé showed residents erecting barricades and attempting to stop security convoys heading toward St. Marc and other exit points.
The standoffs forced authorities to evacuate some officers by air after ground movement was deemed too dangerous.
The incidents come as the final contingents of Kenyan personnel prepare to return home, marking the gradual end of Kenya’s lead role in the international mission.
On March 25, a third group of 208 officers arrived back in Nairobi and were received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by senior officials, including National Security Adviser Monicah Juma and Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
According to the National Police Service, the officers were part of a broader deployment supporting the Haitian National Police in tackling gang violence, securing key infrastructure, and restoring public order.
Their duties included protecting airports, seaports, and humanitarian corridors, as well as supporting training and institutional capacity building.
Officials praised the returning officers for their professionalism, with assurances of continued welfare support, including counselling and reintegration programmes.
However, the chaotic withdrawal scenes highlight the fragile conditions the mission sought to stabilise.
The MSS operation is now transitioning to a new UN-backed framework following the approval of the Gang Suppression Force by the United Nations Security Council in October 2025.
The new force will be led by Chadian troops under UN official Jack Christofides, replacing the MSS leadership previously headed by Godfrey Otunge. It is expected to grow to about 5,500 personnel as international partners step in.
Despite these changes, large areas of Haiti remain under gang control, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding the transition and the fears now being voiced by residents on the ground.
