Godfrey Otunge, Kenyan Police Commander in Haiti, issued an appeal on Sunday for helicopters to assist with the Haiti mission.
Otunge met with Florida Deputy Commander of the Army National Guard Brigadier General William Temple and other military dignitaries in Haiti to discuss, among other things, the mission’s main challenges.
During the closed Multinational Security Support (MSS) meeting, Otunge updated Temple on progress since the arrival of the first Kenyan contingent in June 2024.
The Kenyan Police Commander admitted that the mission was difficult due to a lack of infrastructure, some of which were seized by gangs.
He also emphasized the need for Forward Operating Bases to maintain previously pacified areas of Haiti.
Otunge’s team was recently strengthened by the arrival of soldiers and police officers from Jamaica.
The Jamaican team, led by Colonel Kevron Henry, arrived in the embattled Caribbean country on Thursday, September 12, with 20 soldiers and four police officers.
With the war against gangs in Haiti reaching a critical stage, the MSS is expected to receive a personnel boost as other contributing countries prepare to deploy troops before the deployment period ends.
Aside from infrastructure challenges, Kenyan soldiers in Haiti have had to deal with vehicles that lacked proper armour.Some of the vehicles lacked communication radios.
Delayed payments and bonuses have also had a significant impact on the Kenya team’s morale.
Despite the setbacks, the MSS remains committed to restoring peace in Haiti, which is suffering from a gang crisis that has left over five million people hungry.
The country’s conflict has resulted in at least 580,000 internal displacements, while hundreds of thousands have fled in search of less volatile lands.Haitian gangs reportedly control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Add Comment