Jamaica follows in Kenya’s footsteps as Kenya promises more troops in Haiti

Kenya recently promised to deploy an additional 600 troops to Haiti in order to combat the gang violence currently ravaging the capital city of Port-au-Prince, and surrounding regions.

This was promised by the Kenyan president during his visit to Haiti, as reported by the BBC.

“The nearly 400 Kenyan officers on the ground were going out on patrol working hand-in-hand with Haitian forces to protect the people and restore security,” he said.

“Our next batch, an additional 600, is undergoing redeployment training. We will be mission-ready in a few weeks’ time and look forward to the requisite support to enable their deployment,” he added.

Back in July 2023, the president of Kenya, William Ruto had pledged to send 1000 troops to the Caribbean country to help establish law and order. In June 2024, Kenya deployed the first batch consisting of 400 security officers.

The president of Kenya who arrived in Haiti on Saturday, noted that he had come to check on the progress of the already stationed troops before heading for the United Nations General Assembly.

After commending the troops for restoring some measure of peace in the country, he also noted that through the efforts those who criticized the mission now applaud it. He finally went ahead to pray for the troops.

“You have represented the people of Kenya with courage, professionalism, selflessness, compassion and sufficiency,” the Kenyan president said at the Kenyan base at the airport where he addressed the police officers.

The president also noted that Kenyan soldiers had bolstered security infrastructure and allowed displaced Haitians to return home after escaping violence.

Kenya was the first nation to send soldiers as part of a bigger U.N. initiative to lend international help to Haiti, which has slid into war and political uncertainty since President Jovenel Moïse’s killing in 2021.

This was done despite the move facing heavy skepticism, multiple delays due to legal challenges and worsening security conditions in Haiti.

However, about a week ago, two dozen Jamaican soldiers and police officers arrived in Haiti to join the peacekeeping mission.

Also, according to the Belizean administration, two senior military officers were among those who joined the Jamaicans.