In recent weeks, the MSS has been working closely with the Haiti National Police (HNP) to conduct security operations in several areas, including Downtown Port-au-Prince, Ganthier, and Delmas.
According to a recent mission brief from the National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya, these joint operations have resulted in the arrest of numerous gang members.
The NPS highlighted that these efforts are crucial for bringing back normalcy in regions that were once dominated by gangs.
“These joint patrols and operations have led to several arrests of gang members and a return to normalcy in the once gang-ridden areas,” the NPS stated.
On September 12, an advance team from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) arrived in Haiti to support the mission. Colonel Kevron Henry from Jamaica is leading this team, and he will work under the command of Kenya’s Godfrey Otunge, who heads the entire MSS operation. This collaboration marks an important step in strengthening security efforts in Haiti.
The focus of the mission has been on key locations, particularly around Haiti’s main international airport, the Toussaint-Louverture International Airport.
The airport had been closed earlier this year due to escalating gang violence. However, since the MSS took control, conditions have improved significantly.
As of September 3, the NPS reported that normalcy is resuming in the areas surrounding the airport, allowing commercial and domestic flights to operate more frequently.
Resila Onyango, the police spokesperson for the NPS, mentioned that the MSS has effectively pacified the area north of the airport, which was previously a dangerous zone.
“Before the arrival of MSS, the airport north area was a no-go zone, but gradually, normalcy is returning,” Onyango told pulsenews.co.ke.
The increased security presence has allowed for more flights, both commercial and cargo, to use the airport again.
Haiti has been struggling with violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. His death has left a power vacuum and led to a surge in criminal activity, prompting calls for international assistance. The MSS aims to fill this gap and provide much-needed stability to the region.
The collaboration between Kenyan forces and local police is essential for rebuilding trust and safety in communities affected by gang activities. The ongoing operations are not just about making arrests; they are about fostering a sense of security for the people of Haiti, allowing them to go about their daily lives without fear.
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