Kenya hails UN-backed transition of Haiti mission to Gang Suppression Force
- Foreign Ministry says shift shows Nairobi’s effect in rallying global support
New Kenyan police in Haiti to join UN-backed multinational force against armed criminal gangs. A new contingent of 300 Kenyan police officers has just landed on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture international airport.
NAIROBI, Kenya
Kenya on Thursday welcomed a UN Security Council’s decision to transfer leadership of a Haiti security mission from the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) force to a Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
The move establishes the GSF with up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, made up of police officers and soldiers, for a 12-month deployment to stabilize Haiti, where gang violence has paralyzed life and weakened state institutions.
Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the change underscores Nairobi’s global role in crisis response.
“The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2793 (2025) last night by the UN Security Council is a welcome development in the pursuit of a more peaceful and secure Haiti,” said Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei. “It also reflects the impact of Kenya’s leadership in mobilizing international attention, forging consensus, and catalysing collective action when others hesitated.”
Kenya assumed a central role in the Haiti mission last year after spearheading diplomatic efforts to rally support for intervention amid worsening insecurity in the Caribbean nation.
Kenya deployed about 1,000 police officers to Haiti under the MSS, with units helping reclaim key routes into Port-au-Prince and secure vital infrastructure, including the airport and government buildings.
Several officers were injured during fighting with armed groups, and at least two died in the line of duty.
