Kenyan Police Officers Under Pressure In Haiti As Haitian Resident Claims Nothing Has Being Done Yet

The people of Haiti are becoming very frustrated with the Kenyan peacekeeping forces that were recently sent to their country.

They are calling on the Kenyans to take action against the powerful criminal gangs that have been terrorizing Haiti.

According to reports from the Washington Post, Haitian citizens are deeply unhappy with the Kenyan peacekeepers, who they feel have not done enough to confront the gangs.

One Haitian resident told the Post, “Nothing has changed in my life, and I don’t feel any more secure. I don’t understand why the Kenyans are here if they aren’t going to do anything.”

Kenyan police officers began patrolling the streets of the capital Port-au-Prince on June 29, 2024, but so far they have not engaged in any major operations against the gangs.

One Kenyan officer, speaking anonymously, said they are waiting for more equipment to arrive before they can start attacking the gangs where they are hiding.

However, Haitian police officers have expressed concerns about the way the peacekeeping mission is being carried out.

They say the Kenyan forces are better armed and paid than the Haitian police, but the Haitian officers will have to take the biggest risks in any crackdown on the gangs.

“We are going to be on the front lines, but with what weapons?” questioned one Haitian officer. “The Kenyans shouldn’t just be patrolling the streets – they should be going after the gangs directly. They have the resources that we don’t have, like superior firepower.”

The growing public pressure on the Kenyan peacekeepers comes at a surprising time, as one of Haiti’s most notorious gang leaders, Jimmy Cherizier (also known as “Barbecue”), has announced he is willing to lay down his arms and participate in a national dialogue to restore peace.

In a press conference on July 5, Barbecue stated, “We have decided to publicly announce that our strategy of laying down arms to facilitate national dialogue and promote peace is already written in black and white on our agenda.”

The Haitian government has not yet responded to Barbecue’s offer, as the country continues to grapple with the deep-rooted problem of gang violence.