Kenya has welcomed the handover of international security duties in Haiti to a new United Nations-backed force, closing a difficult chapter in its own deployment there.
The UN Security Council this week approved the creation of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a mission of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel drawn from both police and military ranks. The GSF will serve an initial 12-month mandate, working alongside Haiti’s police and armed forces to confront powerful gangs and secure vital infrastructure.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the move, describing it as “a pivotal shift towards restoring peace and stability in the war-torn Caribbean nation.” In a statement, the ministry said the transition reflected “the impact of Kenya’s leadership in mobilising international attention, forging consensus, and catalysing collective action when others hesitated.”
About 800 Kenyan police officers are currently stationed in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which was authorised in 2023 but delivered mixed results. While the Kenyan deployment provided vital reinforcement to Haiti’s overwhelmed police, it came at a cost: three officers were killed, and one body remains missing since March.
Officials in Nairobi framed the country’s role as part of a broader responsibility. “Our mission has always been anchored in the protection of vulnerable communities, the upholding of the United Nations Charter, and our commitment to global peace and security,” the ministry said.
The new mission has wide backing, including from the United States, Panama, and several Caribbean states. According to the UN resolution, the GSF will work not only to dismantle gangs but also to secure humanitarian access. To support these operations, the UN Secretary-General will establish a dedicated Support Office in Haiti to handle logistics, medical care, transportation and troop rotations.
For Kenya, the transition marks the end of its first large-scale overseas police mission. For Haiti, it signals yet another attempt by the international community to stabilise a country long scarred by political instability, economic turmoil and relentless gang violence.
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