NAIROBI, Kenya — Senior Kenyan security officials have visited police officers deployed in Haiti as the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission begins a phased drawdown following a transition to a new United Nations-backed force.
The visit was led by Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service Eliud Lagat and Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinet, who met National Police Service officers serving in Port-au-Prince on March 23.
The National Police Service said the MSS mission is transitioning into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) following United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793, a move expected to gradually phase out Kenyan officers as the new force assumes operational control.
Kenya has been the lead country in the mission for more than two years, with officials citing improved security conditions in areas previously controlled by armed gangs.
Authorities said operations helped reopen roads in the capital, restore activity at the international airport and port, and strengthen the operational capacity of the Haitian National Police.
In his address to officers, Boinet conveyed goodwill from President William Ruto and praised the deployed personnel for professionalism and discipline during the mission.
He also acknowledged support from international partners involved in the operation, saying collaboration had contributed to gains made in stabilizing parts of Port-au-Prince.
Lagat relayed greetings from Inspector General Douglas Kanja and commended cooperation between Kenyan officers and the Haitian National Police. He expressed hope for future exchange programmes between the two services to enhance policing capacity.
The DIG said officers returning to Kenya would bring valuable experience gained during the mission to strengthen local policing operations.
Earlier, the delegation received a briefing on the security situation from MSS Commander Godfrey Otunge during a closed-door meeting attended by Canadian Ambassador to Haiti André François Giroux and U.S. Deputy Chargé d’Affaires David Howell.
Also present were APS Chief of Staff James Kamau and National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.
