The National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed rumours circulating on social media about the deaths of seven of its officers in the troubled Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has described these claims as baseless, inaccurate, unpatriotic, and malicious.
The deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti has garnered international attention as they join forces with the Haitian National Police to restore stability to the troubled Caribbean nation.
President William Ruto’s commitment of 1,000 Kenyan troops reflects the country’s dedication to global peacekeeping initiatives, though the mission faces significant challenges.
Haiti has long struggled with instability, a situation exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
The country currently grapples with escalating violence with a powerful gang controlling the majority of the capital.
This unrest has resulted in thousands of casualties with over half a million people rendered homeless due to gang-related attacks.
The recent arrival of the first 400 Kenyan officers in Haiti has elicited mixed reactions from locals.
While some welcome their presence, others remain wary, recalling a previous UN-backed intervention from 2004 to 2017.
That mission was tarnished by allegations of sexual assault and the inadvertent introduction of cholera, which claimed nearly 10,000 lives.
Upon their arrival, Kenyan officers encountered resistance from the gang led by Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier.
Initially seeking dialogue with Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille, Cherizier later vowed to fight the Kenyan police to the death. His gang members opened fire on authorities, perceiving the Kenyan force as invaders.
Despite these obstacles, Kenyan officers have been collaborating closely with their Haitian counterparts.
They have strategically mapped key operational areas within the gang-controlled capital and conducted joint patrols.
The Kenyan contingent is led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow and other high-ranking police officials.
Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Garry Conille has expressed confidence that the Kenyan-led international force will bring an end to lawlessness in the country.
US President Joe Biden has welcomed the deployment, recognizing it as the most promising opportunity to achieve democratic governance in Haiti.
The United Nations has approved a policing mission comprising 2,500 officers from various countries, with Kenya volunteering to spearhead the effort
