A fresh contingent of 230 specialized Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on Monday, marking the country’s fifth rotation to the UN-authorized Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and the first since the mission’s mandate was expanded last month to intensify operations against entrenched criminal networks.

The officers landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, where they were received by Haitian Transitional Presidential Council President Laurent Saint-Cyr and GSF Commander Godfrey Otunge. Their arrival coincided with the departure of 100 Kenyan officers completing their tour, underscoring the rotational nature of the mission and Kenya’s role as its largest contributor.

The deployment is part of a multinational effort launched in 2023 under UN Security Council Resolution 2727, with Kenya stepping forward to lead after initial hesitation from the United States. In September 2025, Resolution 2793 broadened the mission’s scope to include intelligence-driven raids, joint patrols, and protection of critical infrastructure, responding to gangs’ control of nearly 80 percent of Port-au-Prince and their spread into rural strongholds.

Kenya has now contributed more than 1,000 personnel to the mission, training its officers in urban combat and human rights protocols before each rotation. The new contingent, drawn from elite units such as the Border Police Unit, will integrate with forces from Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize, bringing total strength to about 1,000 of a targeted 2,500.

Kenyan Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinett, who accompanied the contingent alongside Senior Assistant Inspector General James Kamau, conveyed President William Ruto’s commitment to Haiti’s stability, declaring that “Kenya stands with Haiti for peace and stability, appreciating international support.” Haitian leaders praised the outgoing officers and pledged deeper collaboration with the Haitian National Police and Armed Forces. Commander Otunge emphasized the timing of the deployment, saying it would bolster gains against gangs such as Viv Ansanm, accused of mass killings and extortion.

Yet the challenges remain daunting. Haiti’s crisis has worsened since gangs ousted Prime Minister Ariel Henry in January 2024, leaving 1.4 million displaced, thousands dead, and the economy crippled. U.S.-sourced arms continue to fuel violence, while the mission—initially known as the Multinational Security Support (MSS)—struggles with funding shortfalls and equipment gaps, having received only 40 percent of pledged resources. Human rights groups have raised concerns about alleged abuses, and many Haitians remain wary of foreign forces operating on their soil.

Diplomats from Canada and France have stressed the importance of holding elections by mid-2026 as a benchmark for stability, though gang leaders such as Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier have vowed resistance.

Kenyan officials highlight the continuity of the rotation, noting that outgoing troops will return home for debriefing while newcomers undergo acclimatization. With U.S. backing, including $300 million in aid, the GSF has reported incremental successes, such as recent arrests in central Haiti.