President William Ruto has confirmed holding a phone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres regarding the ongoing Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, where Kenya leads the deployment of peacekeeping personnel.
Speaking on Thursday night, Ruto said Guterres praised Kenya’s leadership and consistent commitment to restoring peace in Haiti. The East African nation has deployed over 800 police officers to the Caribbean country under the UN-backed security initiative.
The conversation comes amid deteriorating conditions in Haiti, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, where violent gangs have taken control of nearly 90% of the city. Since arriving last June, two Kenyan police officers have been killed in the line of duty, while at least three others are recovering from gunshot injuries. Officers have raised concerns over limited resources hampering their operations.
Haiti has recently witnessed massive anti-government protests, with thousands demanding the resignation of transitional leaders and the police chief. Protesters defied tear gas and live ammunition, calling for urgent reforms as the country plunges deeper into crisis. The demonstrations were sparked by growing frustrations over surging gang violence, failed governance, and the stalled implementation of a political accord meant to restore stability.
On Monday, gang violence spread to Mirebalais in the Central Plateau, where over 500 inmates were freed after armed criminals stormed a local prison. The attack also led to looting and the deaths of two Roman Catholic nuns. In total, nearly 6,000 people have been displaced by recent unrest, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration.
Despite Kenya’s central role in the security mission, the worsening violence and logistical challenges pose a significant test to the international effort aimed at stabilizing the troubled Caribbean nation.
