PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Kenyan security officers took part in joint paramilitary drills with other Multinational Security Support (MSS) forces in Haiti on Monday, as the U.N.-backed mission intensifies efforts to stabilize the country amid persistent gang violence and growing concerns over mission effectiveness.
The emergency preparedness and response exercise, held at the MSS Base on May 20, involved troops from Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
It also included medical teams from Aspen Level 2 Hospital and members of the Haitian community.
MSS officials said the goal was to strengthen readiness for emergencies, including gang attacks, civil unrest, or natural disasters, while enhancing coordination among participating nations.
Beyond the Battlefield: Strengthening Emergency Preparedness for Greater ReadinessOn May 20, 2025, the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission security teams conducted a joint emergency preparedness and response exercise at the MSS Base. The event saw active participation
Supervised by senior commanders, the drill marked the latest in a series of joint exercises aimed at boosting operational cohesion in a mission that has so far struggled to gain traction.
Nearly a year into deployment, the MSS force remains short of manpower and equipment.
While Kenya, the lead nation in the mission, had pledged up to 1,000 officers, only 617 had been deployed by January 2025.
Other contributors—including Jamaica, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador—have sent much smaller numbers.
President William Ruto has previously acknowledged the mission’s logistical and funding constraints, urging greater support from the international community.
The United States, one of the key backers, recently paused its funding, further complicating operations.
Despite the setbacks, MSS commanders say joint drills like Monday’s are crucial to building trust and synergy between the different contingents and the Haitian National Police.
In recent weeks, MSS teams have helped secure critical infrastructure in Port-au-Prince, including communication towers and the National Police Academy—facilities that were previously held by armed gangs.
But for many Haitians, the mission’s impact remains limited. Vast swathes of the capital are still under gang control, and the security situation has shown little sign of improvement since the MSS arrived in late 2024.
