The Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, has visited Kenyan officers deployed in Port-au-Prince as the country begins a phased drawdown of its security mission in Haiti.
Lagat, accompanied by Deputy National Security Advisor Joseph Boinet, toured the operational areas on March 23, 2026, engaging officers serving under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
The visit comes at a critical transition point following the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2793, which paves the way for the transformation of the MSS into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The shift will see a gradual withdrawal of Kenyan officers as the new force assumes responsibility for combating armed gangs and stabilising the nation.
Kenya has led the MSS mission for over two years, playing a central role in restoring order in Haiti, which had previously been overwhelmed by gang control and institutional collapse.
Key infrastructure, including the international airport and seaport, has since resumed operations, while major roads in the capital have been reopened.
Areas once dominated by criminal gangs have been reclaimed, with the Haitian National Police steadily regaining its operational strength. Security presence has improved significantly, reducing gang activity to its lowest levels in recent years.
During the visit, Boinet conveyed goodwill from President William Ruto, commending the officers for their professionalism, discipline, and dedication in a complex international assignment.
He also acknowledged the role of global partners who have supported the mission.
Lagat relayed greetings from Inspector General Douglas Kanja and highlighted the growing cooperation between the National Police Service and their Haitian counterparts.
He expressed optimism about future exchange programmes aimed at strengthening policing capacity in both countries.
The officials noted that the experience gained by Kenyan officers during the mission would be instrumental in enhancing policing back home once the officers return.
Earlier, the delegation received a security briefing from MSS Commander Godfrey Otunge in a closed-door meeting attended by senior international representatives, including Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti and the United States’ Deputy Chargé d’Affaires.
