Kenyan officers resign from Haiti Mission amid poor conditions

Haiti.- At least 20 of the nearly 400 Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti under the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) have submitted resignation letters in the past two months, citing late payments and poor working conditions. Despite their grievances, the officers remain on duty, contradicting police chief Douglas Kanja’s claim that salaries were up to date. Reports indicate the officers’ last payment was in September.

The MSS mission, aimed at combating escalating gang violence in Haiti, faces morale issues, resource shortages, and insufficient international support. Officers report lacking adequate ammunition and equipment to address the growing gang threats, which have intensified attacks on Kenyan positions. Additionally, distressing experiences, such as witnessing human remains in the streets, have further strained their resolve. The limited participation of other countries has exacerbated these challenges, leaving Kenyan officers to bear much of the burden.

Amid worsening gang control in Port-au-Prince and political instability marked by leadership changes, the MSS mission struggles to fulfill its objectives. Efforts to transform the mission into a UN peacekeeping force face opposition from countries like China and Russia, calling instead for time to achieve stability. The combination of logistical, political, and security challenges underscores the mission’s difficulty in addressing Haiti’s deepening crisis.