Kenya has sent an additional 217 police officers to Haiti as part of a multinational force to combat escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. The officers departed on Friday, continuing Kenya’s strong commitment to the mission, which aims to restore stability and security.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced the deployment on Saturday, highlighting the positive impact of the Kenya-led mission in reducing gang violence. “The mission has made tremendous progress, receiving global praise,” Murkomen stated, sharing a photo of himself with some of the officers aboard a plane en route to Haiti.

Since June, Kenya has played a crucial role in the United Nations-backed force, and with this latest deployment, the total number of Kenyan officers in Haiti exceeds 600. President William Ruto has committed to sending 1,000 troops to help address the ongoing security crisis.

Haiti has been grappling with severe gang violence, which has displaced over 700,000 people in recent years. Thousands of families have been forced to live in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions after their homes were destroyed by gunmen. The United Nations reported that in 2024, more than 5,600 people were killed, marking a 20% increase in violence compared to the previous year. Additionally, over 2,200 people were injured, and nearly 1,500 were kidnapped in the violence-stricken nation.

Kenya’s continued involvement reflects a deep commitment to helping Haiti restore peace and security, as the Caribbean nation struggles to overcome the devastating consequences of gang-related violence.

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