Kenyan Police in Haiti: Casualties Mount as MSS Mission Faces Growing Challenges

Kenyan Police in Haiti: Casualties Mount as MSS Mission Faces Growing Challenges

In the strife-torn nation of Haiti, two Kenyan police officers have been seriously injured in violent clashes with local gangs over the past week, according to three officers who spoke to Reuters. This incident adds to the growing list of casualties for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which has been increasingly targeted by gangs.

Kenya first deployed officers to the MSS mission in June 2024, and the mission currently comprises around 1,000 security personnel, with approximately three-quarters of them from Kenya. The primary objective of the mission is to restore a sufficient level of security in Haiti to facilitate elections by February 2026. However, the mission has faced numerous challenges from the outset, including morale issues and uncertainty about its possible expansion amid escalating gang violence.

The MSS mission suffered its first fatality in February 2025, and another Kenyan officer was reported missing last week. The three officers, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, said the missing officer is believed to be dead. The recent injuries occurred during routine patrols in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, which is largely under the control of heavily armed gangs responsible for thousands of deaths since 2021.

MSS spokesperson Jack Ombaka confirmed that the two injured officers had been evacuated to the Dominican Republic for medical care. “As in any mission, casualties are sometimes unavoidable,” he said.

The officers have complained about the inadequacy of their equipment, stating that one officer was shot in the head after a bullet pierced his helmet, while another was hit in the ear when a gunshot penetrated the walls of an armored vehicle. Twenty armored vehicles have been grounded since the weekend after officers refused to use them, citing concerns that this was the second time a vehicle had failed to stop a bullet.

In response to these issues, an MSS delegation plans to travel to Washington this week to present concerns over the quality of protective gear to U.S. officials. The United States has provided the majority of the funding and equipment for the mission, which has struggled to secure significant contributions from other countries.

Kenya’s government has cited humanitarian reasons for its intervention in Haiti, though analysts suggest that the deployment is also motivated by a desire to enhance the country’s international profile and win favor with the United States. Despite assurances from MSS that all equipment meets international standards, concerns about the mission’s preparedness and support continue to grow.

As the MSS mission faces increasing challenges, the safety and effectiveness of the Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti remain uncertain. The mission’s ability to achieve its goals of restoring security and facilitating elections hinges on addressing these critical issues and securing adequate support and resources.