NAIROBI, Kenya — The fourth contingent of Kenyan police officers deployed under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti has returned home, marking a continued drawdown of Kenya’s security engagement in the Caribbean nation.
In a statement, the National Police Service (NPS) confirmed that 150 officers departed Haiti on Monday night aboard a Kenya Airways flight and were expected to arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday evening.
The departure followed a visit by Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli, who toured the MSS operational base and received briefings on the mission’s progress and ongoing withdrawal plans.
Masengeli was received by MSS Contingent Commander Godfrey Otunge, alongside US Chargé d’Affaires in Haiti David Howell and Kenya’s Consular General to Haiti Noor Gabow.
“In a brief ceremony at the MSS Operational Base, Masengeli was taken through the activities and operations of the MSS and the ongoing gradual drawdown, including the successes achieved so far and the pacification and stabilisation that the Kenya-led mission has accomplished,” NPS said.
The Deputy Inspector General commended Kenyan officers for their service, noting their role in supporting the Haitian National Police to combat gang violence and restore order in volatile areas.
Since the start of the drawdown, a total of 653 Kenyan officers have returned home. The first contingent of 230 officers arrived on December 9, 2025, followed by 215 officers on March 17, and a third group of 208 officers on March 24.
During their deployment, Kenyan officers were instrumental in securing key infrastructure, including airports, seaports, and major transport corridors, facilitating humanitarian operations and civilian movement.
However, the withdrawal has sparked concern among sections of the Haitian population. In recent days, civilians staged protests and blocked roads in an attempt to prevent the departure of Kenyan officers, fearing a resurgence of gang violence.
Reports indicate that barricades were erected to stop police convoys from leaving areas such as Petite Rivière and Pont Sonde, forcing some units to retreat to base before being airlifted by helicopters.
The Multinational Security Support mission, backed by the United Nations and international partners, was deployed to assist Haiti in addressing a deepening security crisis driven by armed gangs.
As the phased withdrawal continues, questions remain about the sustainability of security gains and the capacity of Haitian authorities to maintain stability without continued external support.
The return of the fourth contingent marks a significant milestone in the mission’s transition, even as concerns persist over the long-term security outlook in Haiti.
