Sources close to the mission reveal to AyiboPost the state of preparations. Political developments in Kenya likely to impact police behavior, analysts say
The first contingent of Kenyan police officers lands in Haiti with the mission to support the country’s security forces on June 25, 2024.
On the same day, their colleagues confronted thousands of young protesters in the streets of Kenya.
The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the finance bill of President William Ruto’s government. They also criticised the sending of an armed force to Haiti.
The police responded brutally to the movement.
About forty people were killed in two weeks of protests, according to a report by a government-funded body.
These deaths have poisoned the protests and triggered widespread criticism of the police and the president, whose resignation is now being demanded.
“We have to make sure they hear us,” said John Mwangi, one of the protesters.
The 23-year-old journalism student rejects the finance law and opposes the government’s decision to send police to Haiti.
“I think we should have solved our internal problems before trying to solve other people’s problems,” he told AyiboPost.
The protesters demanded the withdrawal of the finance bill of President William Ruto’s government. They also criticised the sending of an armed force to Haiti.
The text, since withdrawn, was to increase taxes on essential consumer goods such as bread and vegetable oil.
The amount collected would have helped to repay more than 80 billion US dollars of public debt contracted over the years by Kenya with countries such as China, or institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) or the World Bank.
The debt represents about 70% of the country’s gross domestic product, the highest level in 20 years.
Most of the billions have been invested in infrastructure projects sometimes fictitious or others, splashed by the corruptionpoorly designed and often underused, according to reports.
IMF calls for austerity to secure the payment of additional amounts.
Read also: Full agreement signed with Kenya for multinational force
According to analystssending troops to Haiti is part of a broader strategy to help Kenya reduce its debt and strengthen its economy.
During a visit to the United States last May, President Ruto got Joe Biden’s administration’s support for debt reduction measures.
A Kenyan police officer on duty in front of the US Embassy in Haiti, July 5, 2024. | © Jean Feguens Regala/AyiboPost
But Kenya’s involvement in the security crisis in Haiti may cost William Ruto dearly politically.
Sending troops to Haiti remains a decision unpopular from Kenya.
According to two media sources in that country, very few television channels reported the landing of the first contingent.
Police brutality toward protesters has led some to wish for the death of police officers in Haiti, as evidenced by dozens of online publications reviewed by AyiboPost.
Screenshot of one of the publications on X expressing hostility against the presence of Kenyan troops in Haiti, even going so far as to wish for the death of the police officers.
Earlier this month, the general inspectorate of the national police service had to publish a note to deny the “unfounded, unpatriotic and malicious” rumor of the assassination of seven officers in Haiti.
Note from the Kenya National Service Inspectorate released on July 1, 2024 to deny rumors of the assassination of seven officers of the country in Haiti.
On D-Day, protesters set fire to part of parliament, torched businesses and blocked the capital, Nairobi.
The potential for political recovery remains high, which may lead MMAS leaders to play it safe so as not to attract criticism in Haiti, analysts say.
“We are at risk of seeing corpses of police officers on mission in Haiti arriving in Nairobi,” a Kenyan investigative journalist told AyiboPost. “If that happens, Ruto, who is already very unpopular, will be forced to resign,” he predicts.
In Haiti, Kenyan officers undertake reconnaissance missions with their Haitian colleagues, without engaging in combat.
Two independent sources close to the mission reveal to AyiboPost that they are waiting for equipment and other troops.
The police are “ready” and “highly motivated,” according to one of the sources. They therefore have “the capacity to expel” the gangs from the territories they have controlled for several years.
“The agents are training and acclimatizing to this new work environment little by little,” the other source informed AyiboPost.
Read also: Exclusive | Izo builds a wharf awaiting Kenyans
In the meantime, the gangs continue their work of destruction and violence.
At least two citizens were kidnapped last week in Port-au-Prince.
In the commune of Gressier, thousands of residents are fleeing their homes after attacks by criminals.
In May 2024, one AyiboPost article revealed the construction of a wharf south of the capital by the gang of 5 Segonn led by Johnson André, known as Izo, in the Village of God.
According to experts, this structure is to be used to move its soldiers, weapons and drugs.
These works are continuing, according to new images received by AyiboPost. The height of the walls as well as the embrasures observed reinforce the idea of an infrastructure built for combat.
Progress of the construction of a “wharf” in Village de Dieu, stronghold of the “5 segond” gang led by Johnson (Izo) André.
Jimmy Cherizier, leader of the powerful gang coalition called Viv Ansanm, calls on the government to engage in dialogue in several videos posted on social media.
Back from a trip to the United States July 6, thePrime Minister Gary Conille has made the recapture of gang-controlled territories one of his priorities.. He had previously called on the gangs to recognise state authority and lay down their arms before any dialogue.
Contrary to information disseminated in the press, the notification of this trip to the USA was received by the presidency on June 27, 2024, according to the acknowledgment of receipt obtained by AyiboPost.
Letter from Prime Minister Gary Conille addressed to the President of the Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc Fils, on June 26, 2024, to announce his trip to Washington from June 28 to July 6, 2024.
Acknowledgement of receipt of Prime Minister Garry Conille’s letter by the Presidency on June 27, 2024, one day before his trip to the United States.
The Kenyan force and the Haitian National Police (HNP) are playing the optimism card.
“There is no room for failure on our side, in executing our mandate,” MMAS Commander-in-Chief Godfrey Otunge said at a press conference with the PNH chief on Monday.
The success of this mission will also determine the future of the Presidential Council and the new government.
There is no room for failure on our part in carrying out our mandate.
Godfrey Otunge
Half the country is calling for humanitarian assistance.
Half a million displaced people want to return home, in a context where the country has not had any elected officials for the assassination in July 2021 of former President Jovenel Moïse.
Amidst the rumour and promiscuity at the Ministry of Communication, Althémany Clifford is “impatiently” waiting for the day when he will finally sleep in a real bed.
The language teacher was chased away with his son by gangs in Carrefour-Feuilles in April 2024.
For four months, the two men have been eating poorly and have had difficulty finding drinking water.
Read also: From Barbecue Fiefdom to Santo Domingo, a Professor’s Clandestine Journey
The arrival of the first contingent of Kenyan police on June 25 was a breath of fresh air for Clifford.
“I’m at my wit’s end,” he sighs to AyiboPost. “A little security, that’s all I ask for.”
Par Wethzer Piercin et Widlore Merancourt
Cover image: A Kenyan police officer stationed near the US Embassy in Tabarre, July 5, 2023. | © Jean Feguens Regala/AyiboPost.
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