NEARLY 20 Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti as part of a UN-backed anti-gang mission have tendered resignation letters over the past two months, citing delayed salaries and challenging working conditions.
The officers, who are part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, disclosed that their pay has been overdue since September, despite claims from Kenyan police chief Douglas Kanja that salaries were paid up to October. ‘We’ve been left to endure these harsh conditions without proper support,’ one officer shared anonymously, given restrictions on speaking to the media.
Rising discontent among officers
The mission, intended to deploy around 2,500 personnel from multiple countries, currently relies heavily on Kenya’s contingent of 400 officers. However, morale has plummeted due to resource shortages, lack of manpower, and increased gang violence.
Efforts to address resignations have been met with silence from Kenyan authorities. Officers said resignation requests submitted verbally were dismissed, prompting 18 formal resignation letters between October and November. Senior officials, including a unit commander, were among those seeking to leave.
Gang violence escalates
Haiti’s gang violence has spiralled, with armed groups now controlling most of Port-au-Prince. The violence has overwhelmed Kenyan officers, who report inadequate ammunition and horrifying encounters. ‘I wasn’t prepared for scenes of dogs eating human remains in the streets,’ one officer admitted.
Kenya’s commitment to send an additional 600 officers, announced by President William Ruto in October, has yet to materialise, further straining the MSS mission. The US, the primary funder of the mission, has advocated converting it into a UN peacekeeping operation to secure diversified funding. However, opposition from China and Russia has delayed these plans.
Political instability in Haiti
Haiti’s internal turmoil complicates the mission further. In November, its transitional council ousted Prime Minister Ariel Henry and appointed Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, adding uncertainty to efforts to stabilise the nation.
Kenyan police in Haiti remain in limbo, grappling with dire conditions and an unclear future as they await resolution from both their home country and the international community.
