Kenya to scale back police deployment in Haiti

A mission led by the African country has handed over leadership to a new UN-backed force with a “robust” mandate to push back gangs, an official has said

Kenya has begun a phased drawdown of its police officers in Haiti after more than a year leading an international security mission aimed at curbing widespread gang violence, a Foreign Ministry official has said.

The move follows the handover of security responsibilities from the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission led by the East African nation to the new UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), Kenyan Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said on Friday.

“Kenya’s deployment has made a huge difference,” Sing’Oei told local newspaper the Daily Nation. He added that the mission “has strengthened the Haitian National Police, secured critical installations, and laid the groundwork for a sustainable international security framework.”

Kenya deployed police officers to Haiti in 2024 after agreeing to lead the MSS mission, backed by the UN and several international partners. At its peak, the mission involved more than 700 Kenyan officers, forming the largest contingent in the multinational force.

Haiti has faced escalating gang violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. Armed groups control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and key transport routes, carrying out kidnappings, killings, and attacks on state institutions.

READ MORE: US Marines exchange fire with Haiti gangs

More than 8,100 people were killed in the Caribbean nation between January and November 2025, and nearly 1.3 million displaced by gang-related violence, according to the UN.

The Kenyan-led MSS was able to free the presidential palace in the capital and unblock several key roads, but could not achieve further progress due to a reported lack of personnel and equipment. Only around 40% of the planned 2,500 troops were reportedly deployed.

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According to Sing’Oei, the mission suffered from inadequate funding and a “very, very narrow” mandate that did not allow forces to pursue gangs directly.

The UN Security Council authorized the new 5,550-strong GSF in late 2025, granting it a mandate beyond the scope of the MSS mission, including operations to “neutralize” gangs.

READ MORE: Kenyan officer missing in Haiti after gang ambush

UN data show that a trust fund supporting the Haiti contingent has received about $173 million in combined pledges and cash, with Canada the largest donor at $85 million. The US has also contributed $15 million. UN officials say the total remains far below annual funding needs.