Kenyan Police Contingent Arrives to Combat Gangs in Haiti

A second group of 200 Kenyan police officers has arrived in Haiti to support a UN mission aimed at combating gang violence. This comes after the initial team arrived last month. Despite some Haitians welcoming the help, concerns remain about the mission’s effectiveness and potential for abuse.

A second contingent of 200 Kenyan police officers arrived Tuesday in Haiti to bolster a UN-backed mission led by Kenya to combat violent gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation.

This arrival follows nearly a month after the first group of 200 officers landed in Port-au-Prince, where gangs control 80% of the territory.

Last week, the United Nations Security Council strongly condemned the extreme levels of armed violence in Haiti, which are undermining peace and stability.

Authorities have not disclosed details of the Kenyans' assignments for security reasons, although AP journalists have seen them patrolling near the main international airport.

More Kenyan officers are expected to arrive in the coming weeks and will join forces from various countries to form a 2,500-strong contingent.

While some Haitians welcome the Kenyan help, others remain wary due to concerns over potential temporary effects and past allegations of abuse against Kenyan police.

The mission is aimed at bolstering Haiti's National Police, which struggles with understaffing and underfunding, to combat gangs responsible for high death tolls and injuries.

Gangs have also left many Haitians homeless and at risk of starvation, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The violence escalated earlier this year, prompting the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the appointment of a transitional presidential council and new prime minister Garry Conille.

Expert Diego Da Rin warns that addressing gang violence requires tackling impunity and corruption, not just focusing on security.