President William Ruto has praised Kenyan police officers who served in Haiti, describing their work under the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission as commendable and a significant sacrifice in the fight against gang violence.


Speaking on Friday during a flag handover ceremony at the National Police College in Embakasi, Nairobi, President Ruto welcomed the officers back home and formally received the Kenyan flag following the completion of their deployment.


“You did a wonderful and commendable job,” Ruto told the returning officers, acknowledging the risks they took while working alongside Haitian authorities to protect civilians and restore security.

The President said he had closely followed the officers’ activities in Haiti and maintained communication with their commander and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja during the mission.


Ruto honours fallen officers

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to remember Kenyan officers who lost their lives while serving in Haiti.


Ruto laid a wreath at the National Police College in honour of officers who died during the operation. The tribute took place alongside the 59th Administration Police Service recruits’ passing-out parade.

Kenya deployed its first contingent to Haiti in June 2024 following a United Nations-backed effort to help the Haitian National Police confront heavily armed gangs and restore stability.


Mission transitions to new force

The Kenya-led MSS mission has since transitioned into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) under a renewed international mandate.

Kenyan officers played a central role in the mission, which sought to secure key infrastructure and support Haitian authorities in restoring law and order in areas affected by gang violence.


The return of the officers marks an important chapter in Kenya's international security engagement, while attention now shifts to the successor force and the continuing security crisis in Haiti.