Kenya Police in Haiti to Get Major Boost from US and OAS Multinational Mission

Kenyan police officers battling armed gangs in Haiti are set to receive a much-needed boost. The United States has announced plans to send more support to the Haiti mission, with additional reinforcements expected from other African nations.

This comes at a time when the Kenyan-led peacekeeping force is facing growing pressure to contain violent gangs that have taken control of key parts of the country.

The Organization of American States (OAS) is now stepping in, planning a new multinational security effort that could change the tide in Haiti.

Kenya’s decision to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti earlier this year made headlines globally. The move marked one of the country’s most significant international security commitments to date. [Photo: Courtesy]

Kenya Police in Haiti to Lead the Frontline as OAS Mobilizes Global Support

The Kenya Police in Haiti are already carrying a heavy burden. About 1,000 officers from Kenya are leading the UN-backed MSS mission on the ground, fighting armed gangs that have taken over large parts of the Caribbean nation.

The situation has become so dire that major international actors are now rushing to support the Kenyan-led efforts. Speaking before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary Marco Rubio stressed the urgency of the situation.

“The security situation in Haiti risks worsening if no steps are taken to curb the bandits’ activities,” he warned.

Rubio said he would formally request the OAS to lead a broader multinational force to restore peace. This decision signals growing US commitment to the Kenyan-led mission amid fears that foreign policy changes under the Trump administration could derail it.

But Rubio reassured the Senate that the United States has not withdrawn its support. In fact, he has already signed off on military-grade aid—including armored equipment—and approved funding waivers worth Ksh5.2 billion (USD 40.7 million) for both the MSS and the Haitian National Police (HNP).

“The United States has not paused all assistance,” the US Embassy in Haiti confirmed. “On the contrary, Secretary Rubio approved mission-critical assistance.”

This move is expected to ease concerns that the mission might stall due to international funding cuts.

OAS to Convene Urgent Meeting Over Haiti’s Crisis

The OAS, made up of 35 countries in the Americas, has announced a high-level meeting to address Haiti’s security crisis. The symposium is scheduled for May 22, 2025, at the Hall of the Americas in Washington, D.C.

This emergency meeting follows a diplomatic visit in April by Haitian Presidential Advisor H.E. Smith Augustin to OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro. The OAS says the goal of the gathering is to form a united front against the violence in Haiti and to reinforce the work of the Kenya Police in Haiti.

“In a context marked by the spread of dangerous gangs and cross-border crime, this symposium will bring together Haitian leaders, international experts, and security representatives to create a practical security roadmap,” the OAS said in a statement.

Key topics will include the influence of transnational crime, the weaknesses in Haiti’s justice system, and how regional partners—like Kenya—can work more closely with OAS frameworks like the Inter-American Convention Against Terrorism.

Kenya’s Role Widens as Global Pressure Builds

Kenya’s decision to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti earlier this year made headlines globally. The move marked one of the country’s most significant international security commitments to date.

UN supports the mission that includes the officers, aiming to restore order and rebuild institutions in a country ravaged by gang violence. Despite early criticism, many now view Kenya’s presence on the ground as vital.

The United States and OAS recognize the risks these officers face daily and have pledged more equipment, logistical support, and coordination.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi recently met Secretary Rubio in Washington to strengthen diplomatic ties and reaffirm Kenya’s commitment. A photo from the meeting, showing the two shaking hands, underlined the growing alliance.

While the road to peace in Haiti remains long, the coordinated action between the US, Kenya, and OAS partners brings renewed hope.

As new officers and aid begin to flow in, the Kenya Police in Haiti may finally get the backup they need to push back the gangs and restore stability in one of the region’s most fragile states.