Written By Lisa Murimi
The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) has deployed 100 police officers, mostly from Kenya, to Haiti’s Artibonite Department to combat rampant gang violence.
The move follows a deadly attack in Pont-Sondé, where the Gran Grif gang killed 70 people, including infants, in one of the worst massacres in recent history.
The deployment began in the Gonaïves and Saint-Marc areas, both hit by escalating violence over the past week.
The Haitian National Police (PNH), overwhelmed by the surge in crime, sought international assistance to curb the influence of powerful gangs like Gran Grif and Kokorat San Ras.
Kalerbe Exantus, the new PNH director, stressed the mission’s focus on dismantling these gangs and restoring order.
Haiti’s ongoing crisis, worsened by political instability and economic turmoil, has left thousands displaced, with over 6,270 people seeking refuge.
The Kenyan officers, alongside local security forces, face fierce resistance in reclaiming gang-controlled territories.
The success of the MSS remains uncertain, as logistical challenges and the deeply rooted violence threaten to undermine efforts to restore peace.
However, this deployment is a critical step in addressing Haiti’s deteriorating security situation.
