Kenyan police arrive in Haiti: members of the population hope for restoration of security

Kenyan police mission begins in Haiti: members of the population hope for restoration of security

The arrival of the Kenyan police has sparked mixed reactions among the Haitian population. Interviewed by the editorial staff of Juno7, several citizens consider that it is a good sign. They see this international intervention as a first step towards restoring security in a country where armed gangs control about 80% of the territory of the capital, Port-au-Prince. However, others express measured concern, believing that much remains to be done in terms of security.

“I firmly believe that the Haitian population will find relief. I hope that this multinational force will work with our brave Haitian police officers to track down gangs in the neighborhoods and neutralize them,” said a young man currently residing in a displaced persons camp.

The presence of gangs in almost all neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince and their control over national roads complicate the daily lives of Haitians. Citizens hope that this multinational force will be able to gradually restore order and allow them to resume their activities in complete serenity.

“I am here and I will observe the unfolding of events. Although I am not very optimistic about an improvement in security in the country, I hope that the multinational force will bring some respite. However, I remain convinced that to achieve sustainable security, it is essential to put in place a security policy, to invest in our law enforcement agencies and to better supervise the army and the police,” said a sixty-year-old.

In the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, gang violence has reached a critical level, affecting the lives of thousands of people. Kidnappings, extortions, and assassinations are commonplace, making travel perilous and daily life unbearable. National roads, once vital arteries leading to provincial cities, are now lawless zones where fear reigns.

According to a recent report by the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH), armed gangs have established at least thirteen clandestine toll booths, imposing ransoms on citizens on the main roads of the capital and in other regions of the country.

The RNDDH specified the exact location of these thirteen toll booths in his report, detailing their geographical distribution. In Port-au-Prince, three toll booths were installed: one at Ruelle Alerte, near the Port-au-Prince cemetery, another at Martissant, and a third at Fontamara. In the commune of Cité Soleil, three other booths were set up at the exit of Terminal Varreux, at La Saline and at Drouillard.

In the meantime, Haitians are yearning for peace in their neighborhoods and for their children to go to school without fear. They want to be able to cross the streets of the capital and national roads without risking their lives. The mission of the Kenyan police is therefore seen as a glimmer of hope, although many challenges remain.

This multinational mission, although welcomed by part of the population, will have to prove its effectiveness in the face of the determination of the armed groups. The road to security and peace is long, but the arrival of this first contingent is a crucial step in this process.

The Haitian people are eagerly awaiting the concrete results of this intervention and hope to soon be able to live in a safer and more stable environment. The eyes of the world are now turned towards Haiti, watching closely as this mission unfolds, which could change the destiny of a country plagued by violence and instability.

It is worth recalling that on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Kenyan police officers landed on the tarmac of Toussaint Louverture International Airport, marking the beginning of this mission. On board a Kenya Airways plane, this first contingent of 400 officers represents the vanguard of a multinational force intended to dismantle armed criminal gangs operating in Haiti.