Haiti: Kenyan commander calls for speedy delivery of equipment to tackle gangs

By Peter Ochieng

Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti force commander Godfrey Otunge has requested for speedy and timely delivery of more equipment to support the mission in the Caribbean nation.

Speaking during a meeting of international partners supporting Haiti's security sector this week, Otunge said they need more equipment for the Haitian National Police (HNP) to boost operations and efficiency.

Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille was the Chief Guest during the meeting, chaired by Andre Francois Giroux, Canadian ambassador.

“Despite the mission being at the Pre-Deployment stage, we are committed to use whatever resources available to support HNP in dealing with the gangs,” Otunge told the meeting.

On his part, ambassador Giroux said the meeting had come at the crucial time where all international actors needed to read from the same script, as far as supporting Haiti is concerned.

“The mission is critical to Haiti hence the need for all the actors to ensure that they fully support it,” he stated.

Prime Minister Garry Conille passionately appealed to the international partners to support Haiti, especially the Haitian National Police, who despite their numbers, lacked resources to fight gangs.

He called for urgent interventions, as the country prepares for the next general elections next year.

The meeting comes about two months after Kenyan police officers left for Haiti, where they are reportedly facing increasing pressure as expectations rise for them to curb the growing gang violence in the country.

Questions are mounting over their effectiveness in tackling Haiti's notorious criminal gangs.

Initially, Kenyan police officers were warmly welcomed by both the Haitian government and local media. However, reports indicate that the optimism that greeted their arrival has given way to frustration.

Many Haitians now express disappointment at the pace and impact of the Kenyan mission in their country, with gangs seemingly having tightened their grip on various parts of the country.