Haiti civilians have reportedly blocked Kenyan police officers from leaving the country, fearing that their withdrawal could leave them vulnerable to gang attacks which had gone down with the presence of Kenyans.
The incident, which occurred in Petite Rivière and Pont-Sondé, saw crowds barricading roads and attempting to halt the Kenya Police entourage returning to Nairobi.
Amateur videos circulating online showed residents confronting departing units of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, which is winding down operations in the Caribbean nation.
The standoff reportedly forced the Haitian authorities to use helicopters to evacuate the Kenyan officers after ground movement was deemed unsafe.
The developments come as the final contingents of Kenyan police prepare to return home, marking the gradual conclusion of Kenya’s leadership in the international security deployment.
On March 25, a third group of 208 officers arrived back in Nairobi and were received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by senior government and police officials, including National Security Adviser Dr. Monicah Juma and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
The MSS Mission is transitioning into a new framework following the United Nations Security Council’s approval of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in October 2025.
The GSF will replace the MSS structure and be led by Chadian forces under the command of South African UN official Jack Christofides, who succeeds Kenya’s Godfrey Otunge.
Chad is expected to deploy up to 800 police officers and gendarmes to Haiti this year, with the GSF aiming for about 5,500 personnel by October.
