Haiti Police Union Demands More Protection After Killing of Kenyan Officer
A day after a Kenyan police officer was shot and killed in Haiti, police unions in the Caribbean nation have intensified calls for better protection and more resources to tackle the growing gang violence.
According to reports from the Associated Press and The Washington Post, a leader of one of Haiti’s major police unions, Garry Jean Baptiste, urged the government to take urgent action against the escalating security crisis. Speaking at a protest outside the offices of Haiti’s prime minister and the transitional presidential council, Baptiste stressed the need for enhanced security measures.
“Take this insecurity seriously so more lives can be saved,” he stated.
Kenyan officers stationed in Haiti have been working closely with the Haitian National Police (PNH) to conduct joint patrols and strategic operations in gang-dominated areas. The collaboration utilizes the local expertise of Haitian officers alongside the advanced training of Kenyan forces.
Kenya leads the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which aims to strengthen the Haitian police in their fight to reclaim gang-controlled territories. However, concerns have been raised over the availability of weapons and resources for both Kenyan and Haitian officers. Kenya has been relying on the United States for critical military support, but it remains unclear whether the MSS mission shares its weapons and equipment with the Haitian police. Despite these uncertainties, MSS officers have been well-equipped since their deployment in June 2024, with additional reinforcements arriving in late 2024 and early 2025.
The Kenyan officer who lost his life was part of an anti-gang operation in the Artibonite region, located north of Port-au-Prince. The fatal incident happened in the Pont-Sonde area, where the officer was responding to a distress call from residents. He was rushed to a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. His death marks the first casualty recorded since the mission’s deployment.
In response to the tragedy, Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé assured the public that the government remains committed to restoring security in the country. Speaking at a press briefing, he emphasized that the administration is making significant investments to equip the police force with the necessary tools to fight criminal gangs.
“There is a clear strategy, there is a strong commitment, and there are mobilized resources to put an end to the insecurity plaguing the country,” the prime minister declared.
With tensions rising and gang violence worsening, police unions continue to push for better protection, calling on authorities to prioritize officer safety as they work to restore order in Haiti.
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