Kenyan police officers leading the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti have raised serious concerns about being abandoned and left to handle the most dangerous parts of the country on their own.
These officers say they are being sidelined by other international forces who are supposed to be working with them.
Speaking to Agencia EFE, one of the world’s largest news agencies, the Kenyan officers revealed that while the mission is meant to be a joint effort, only they are being sent into the riskiest areas controlled by heavily armed gangs.
Meanwhile, officers from other countries are reportedly assigned less dangerous tasks, such as guarding buildings or helping evacuate the injured.
According to one officer who spoke to the press, there was supposed to be a united effort in fighting the gangs, but in reality, Kenyan officers are the only ones being deployed into high-risk areas. Other troops are kept away from the action, focusing on easier duties that don’t expose them to as much danger.
“We’re the only ones facing the gangs head-on, while police from other countries are just securing compounds or dealing with evacuations,” said one Kenyan officer, highlighting the growing frustration among the contingent.
The officer also revealed that the criminals they are up against are often better armed than the police themselves, putting them at even greater risk.
In addition to the danger posed by the gangs, the officers also complained about poor support and logistics.
They said that some of their equipment, including armoured vehicles, is faulty, and they are receiving no air support during their operations. These challenges have made their job even more difficult and dangerous.
The Kenyan officers also exposed internal issues within the mission, saying that some officers from other countries have found ways to avoid dangerous patrols altogether.
According to them, some personnel are favoured or allowed to dodge patrol duties based on their connections or how well they manage to please their superiors.
“Some officers have become experts at avoiding patrols. It’s all about who you know,” said another officer, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter.
These complaints come amid growing security threats and increasing casualties in Haiti. Gang violence has intensified, and the Kenyan officers have already suffered losses.
On March 5, a Kenyan police officer was shot and killed by gang members during a patrol operation in the Lower Artibonite region, which lies 92 kilometres north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Shockingly, neither the National Police Service (NPS) nor the Multinational Security Support Mission officially acknowledged the officer’s death.
However, local media in Haiti reported that the slain officer’s body was taken away by the gang members, adding to the trauma experienced by fellow officers on the ground.
During the same attack, three armoured vehicles used by peacekeepers were set ablaze by the gangs, causing chaos and fear among the mission’s personnel.
This incident further highlighted how dangerous and unpredictable the conditions are for the officers on duty.
Haiti remains in a state of crisis, with gangs now controlling nearly 90 per cent of Port-au-Prince. The scale of violence is staggering — local reports indicate that over 56,000 people were killed in 2024 alone, and more than one million have been forced to flee their homes due to the violence.
Kenyan officers, who are assigned to patrol gang-controlled areas, say they are working under unbearable pressure.
They are constantly exposed to life-threatening situations, dealing with criminals who have superior weapons, all while lacking basic support and backup from the broader mission.
Despite their dedication and bravery, the officers feel abandoned and overwhelmed, as they continue to face deadly challenges with limited resources and little recognition.
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