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Kenya to Deploy Female SWAT Officers to Haiti

Kenya to Deploy Female SWAT Officers to Haiti

Kenya will send female SWAT officers to Haiti in November. They will join 600 officers who will reinforce those already in the country. So far, 396 Kenyan officers have arrived in Haiti in stages. They are part of the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, fighting gangs.

This deployment marks Kenya’s first peace mission with female officers. These officers are training at the National Police College Embakasi “A” Campus. Other units like the General Service Unit (GSU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), and Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) will also send officers. Kenya leads the mission, with MSS Commander Godfrey Otunge in charge. Colonel Kevron Henry from Jamaica serves as his deputy.

Kenyan officers have reclaimed key sites in Haiti. They have worked with the Haiti National Police (HNP) to secure places like the national palace, the general hospital, and the port. Other countries pledged troops for the mission, including the Bahamas, Antigua, Italy, Spain, and Mongolia. However, they have yet to send their forces.

Haiti continues to face gang-related violence. These gangs often have ties to local politics and businesses. President William Ruto urged the global community to fund the mission. He warned that the Kenyan-led operation lacks enough resources to last until October 2025, even with a one-year UN extension.

Recently, Kenyan officers targeted the base of Vitel’Homme Innocent, a top gang leader wanted by the FBI. Although he escaped arrest, Innocent remains a priority target. He faces accusations of kidnapping and murder. The FBI has offered a $1.7 million reward for information on his whereabouts.

Meanwhile, tensions rise between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic’s deportation of Haitians has led to diplomatic disputes. The Organisation of American States (OAS) is now addressing these concerns.

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