The US Army delivered 24 Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles to Kenyan police forces in Haiti.

The MRAP vehicles arrived at the airport in Port-au-Prince via US Airforce cargo aircraft on August 23, 2024.
This delivery follows concerns from the Kenyan contingent, part of a UN-endorsed mission, about delays and resource shortages.

Kenya has deployed 400 officers to combat heavily armed gangs in Haiti, the only country currently with officers on the ground despite initial pledges from other nations to send a combined force of 2,500.

These MRAPs add to the initial 10 vehicles provided by the US, along with 34 Overhead Gunner Protection Kits (turrets) to enhance the vehicles’ combat capabilities.

Earlier, Kenyan forces had withdrawn from Ganthier after intense clashes with gangs, highlighting the need for better-equipped vehicles.

With nearly 600,000 people displaced by gang violence in Haiti, the newly equipped vehicles are expected to bolster patrol operations.

Additional reinforcements from countries like Jamaica and the Bahamas are expected by September.

The first Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on June 25, 2024 and have since helped secure significant areas of Port-au-Prince.

They’ve taken control of a port, a national hospital, and a major road previously dominated by gangs.

The Kenyans are supporting the Haitian National Police in restoring law and order to enable national elections.

However, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille expressed concern over delays in funding, warning that slow support could jeopardize the mission.

Despite global challenges, he emphasized the urgent need for resources, highlighting the dire conditions Haitians face and the hope for positive change.

Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille emphasized the urgency of funding the Kenyan-led mission, warning that unmet expectations could undermine both the mission and the transitional government’s credibility.