Otunge Reveals How Kenyan Police Officers Slept in Vehicles at Haiti Battleground
Kenya’s first deployment to Haiti, aimed at curbing the country’s rampant gang violence, is now four months old. What started as a hopeful mission has hit several hurdles, including delayed salaries and insufficient resources, dimming initial optimism.
As reported by the New York Times, despite early efforts to reduce gang activity, the operation is struggling to achieve its goals. Ongoing violence and governance issues in Haiti have hindered the mission, which began with high expectations.
Kenyan Commander Godfrey Otunge, in an interview, described the tough conditions faced during a recent anti-gang operation in Gartheier, located 20 miles from the capital, Port-au-Prince. Officers had to sleep in their vehicles due to lack of accommodation.
Food shortages also plagued the team, with the Haitian National Police stepping in to share their provisions. Despite these hardships, Otunge expressed pride in the officers’ resilience, stating, “Still, we pushed the gangs.”
Otunge further emphasized the significant challenges, particularly the lack of adequate equipment, which made combating the notorious gangs much more difficult.
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He voiced his astonishment at how brazen the gangs had become, saying, “What shocked me most is seeing gangs attack in broad daylight. How is this even possible?”
As the mission enters its fourth month, frustration is mounting among Haitians who feel the Kenyan forces are progressing too slowly. Meanwhile, criminal groups have expanded control over several towns and blocked key roads leading to Port-au-Prince. “They came to help us, and we hope they will, but so far, we see no changes,” a Haitian resident remarked.
Amid these challenges, Kenya is preparing to increase its presence in Haiti. During a visit to the country, President Ruto announced plans to send an additional 600 officers.
“Our next group is undergoing redeployment training and will be ready soon. We expect to receive the necessary support for their deployment,” Ruto stated.
The president also praised the Kenyan police for their achievements in combating Haiti’s gangs, noting the progress made. “Many believed Haiti was a lost cause, but now, they’ve changed their minds because of what you’ve achieved,” Ruto added.
Otunge Reveals How Kenyan Police Officers Slept in Vehicles at Haiti Battleground
