Kenyan police forces patrolled the streets of Port-au-Prince on Monday as part of their ongoing mission to combat gang violence in Haiti, which has devastated the Caribbean nation. Footage released by Haiti’s presidential office showed officers conducting ground patrols and deploying drones for aerial surveillance.

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Speaking to reporters, police superintendent Edwin Kolil commended local residents for their support in the operation. “The members of the public in this country are very good. They interact with us each and every day, giving us information concerning the movements of each and every gang around,” he said. Kolil emphasized that patrols will persist until peace is restored.

Kenya recently deployed an additional 217 police officers to Haiti, bringing the total number of Kenyan personnel in the country to over 600. The deployment is part of a United Nations-backed multinational force aimed at curbing the rampant gang violence that has displaced more than 700,000 Haitians in recent years.

Since first sending troops to Haiti in June, Kenya’s President William Ruto has pledged to increase the contingent to 1,000 officers. The mission highlights Kenya’s commitment to global peacekeeping and the stabilization of Haiti, which has been grappling with escalating violence.

According to the United Nations, over 5,600 people were killed in Haiti in 2024, representing a 20% increase from the previous year. In addition, more than 2,200 were injured, and nearly 1,500 people were kidnapped. Gang violence has also left countless Haitians homeless, with many forced into makeshift shelters under dire conditions.

The Kenyan-led effort reflects a growing international focus on Haiti’s crisis, as authorities work to suppress gang networks and restore stability to a nation struggling with widespread insecurity and humanitarian challenges.

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