230 Kenyan police arrive in Haiti after UN mandate expansion

A new contingent of 230 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti’s capital Monday, the first foreign deployment since the United Nations Security Council approved a major expansion of the multinational force fighting powerful gangs that control much of the country.

The officers landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, according to Haiti’s National Police. The arrival brings the total strength of the Kenya-led mission to approximately 980 personnel, mission spokesman Jack Ombaka said.

Gangs tighten grip on Haiti

Heavily armed gangs, largely equipped with weapons smuggled from the United States, have expanded their control over Port-au-Prince and parts of central Haiti in recent years. Operating under the loose alliance known as Viv Ansanm, the groups are blamed for widespread killings, sexual violence, kidnappings for ransom and arson attacks that have displaced more than 1.4 million people and crippled the economy.

UN upgrades mission amid slow progress

In late September, the Security Council voted to convert the existing Multinational Security Support mission into a larger “Gang Suppression Force,” raising the authorized ceiling from 2,500 to 5,500 personnel. The force had stalled below 1,000 officers for months, far short of its original target.

The new mandate took effect in October, but pledges from other countries have been slow to materialize. Kenya remains by far the largest contributor, followed by smaller contingents from Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador.

Funding shortfall persists

The United States has provided more than $1 billion in logistical support — including food, housing, vehicle maintenance and medical care — but has contributed only $15 million to the dedicated U.N. trust fund. Canada leads donations to the fund with $63 million.

As of December, the fund holds just $113 million, well below the estimated annual needs of $800 million. No new contributions have been recorded since August, according to U.N. data.

Cautious hope in Port-au-Prince

Residents of the capital expressed guarded optimism about the reinforcements, though many remain skeptical after more than a year of intense gang warfare.

“This is the fifth Kenyan rotation, and we are grateful they keep coming,” said Jean-Robert Alexis, a merchant in the Delmas neighborhood. “But until we see the gangs pushed back from the main roads and hospitals reopened, it’s hard to celebrate.”

The expanded mission now faces mounting pressure to deliver tangible results before Haiti’s fragile transitional government attempts to organize long-delayed elections.