Ruto Celebrates After Kenya Police Officers in Haiti Hands Over Third Base

Just days after 217 elite officers from the National Police Service arrived in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), the special elite unit has achieved a major milestone in their mission.

On Tuesday, the Kenya Police Service handed over the third forward operating base (FOB) in Haiti to their Guatemalan counterparts, following successful efforts to weed off Haitian gangs.

President William Ruto on Tuesday shared the video from Haiti where Kenyan police officers detailed how they had achieved the fete.

Kenyan troops under the command of Senior Assistant Inspector General of Police Godfrey Otunge revealed that it took combined efforts and teamwork to enable them wrestle off the disturbed region from the gangs of Jimmy Cherizier alias Barbecue. 

”The IGPNH was a no-go zone. When we captured that IGPNH, the citizens through social media were saying, how can it happen? What kind of force is that that can dare to go to IGPNH?” Otunge stated.

”And as we are talking right now, the renovation, refurbishment and everything is being done for the IGPNH and I have my troops of MSS,” he added.

Kenyan forces will officially hand over the project upon completion of the repair process as part of actions to reduce gang violence and protect Haitian citizens.

The Haitian forces on their part, expressed gratitude to the Kenyan forces for their efforts in neutralising the gangs, that have been a thorn in the flesh of the people of the Caribbean nation for over 5yrs. 

”We are currently occupying the IGPNH. In terms of the working relationship with Kenyan forces on the ground, I can say that I have been able to collaborate and get some good work done with the help of some of my colleagues,” Claudio Quiroz, a police officer from the Haitian troops narrated. 

The success came a few days after the government of Kenya on Monday announced that in future deployments, Kenya will aim to make history by sending an all-female-led security team to the Caribbean nation as part of its upcoming missions.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the government will also deploy officers from the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) alongside the female officers.

”As part of our unwavering commitment to the people of Haiti, Kenya will continue to deploy additional officers from various specialized units, including the General Service Unit (GSU), the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and the all-female Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), to reinforce security efforts and ensure sustained progress in restoring order,” the Ministry of Interior shared in a statement. 

Their deployment to Haiti is expected to mark a significant milestone in Kenya’s international peacekeeping efforts, as the country aims to strengthen its reputation as a trusted and reliable global peacekeeping partner.