At least 215 Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti have returned home, marking the beginning of a phased withdrawal as the multinational security mission undergoes major restructuring.
The officers arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday evening, where they were received by top security officials led by Inspector General Douglas Kanja and Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo.
Their return comes as fresh details emerge that troops from Chad will gradually take over the role previously held by Kenyan officers in Haiti.
The transition is part of a revamped United Nations-backed security framework aimed at strengthening efforts to combat armed gangs that have destabilised the Caribbean nation.
According to Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez, Chadian forces currently undergoing training in the United States are expected to begin deployment in April.
Under the new arrangement, Kenyan officers serving under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission will be withdrawn in phases as the new contingent takes over operations on the ground.
The Ministry of Interior confirmed that the 215 officers formed part of the second contingent deployed to Haiti and had safely returned to the country.
Their arrival was marked by celebratory scenes at JKIA, signalling a significant milestone in Kenya’s involvement in the international mission.
Meanwhile, the United Nations plans to fully operationalise the restructured force by October, with the Security Council targeting an expanded deployment of up to 5,500 personnel.
The new force is also expected to have enhanced operational powers, including the authority to arrest suspected gang members as part of efforts to restore order.
UN Human Rights Expert William O’Neill has warned that the coming months will be critical, but expressed optimism that the situation can be stabilised with coordinated international action.
