Kenya Welcomes Home First Contingent of Police Officers After 18-Month Haiti Peace Mission
Kenya has officially welcomed back the first group of National Police Service (NPS) officers who have completed an 18-month peacekeeping deployment in Haiti, marking a significant milestone in the country’s expanding footprint in global peace and security efforts.
The contingent was deployed last year after President William Ruto ceremonially handed them the national flag, a gesture symbolizing Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation and protection of vulnerable communities. Their return signals what senior officials are calling a “mission accomplished” under the Multi-National Security Support Mission, which was recently rebranded as the Gang Suppression Force.
According to the NPS leadership, the officers played a vital role in stabilizing parts of Haiti that had been heavily affected by gang-related insecurity. Their work included reopening key road networks that had long been inaccessible, improving civilian mobility, and strengthening the operational capacity of the Haitian National Police. The team was also recognized for its strict adherence to professional standards and human rights protocols throughout the mission.
National Security Advisor Amb. Dr. Monica Juma praised the officers during the reception ceremony, describing their service as “a promise kept.” She noted that Kenya had honoured the commitments it made before the deployment and emphasized that reintegration and wellness programs have been prepared to support the officers as they transition back into their duties at home.
Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, commended the returning team for demonstrating exemplary integrity and resilience under difficult circumstances. He noted that the operational skills and experience gained in Haiti would significantly enhance local policing capacities.
His counterpart from the Administration Police Service, Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, also lauded the officers’ dedication. He expressed gratitude to President Ruto and Kenya’s international partners for their sustained support of the mission, reaffirming the country’s steadfast role in advancing global peace.
In a solemn moment, the NPS paid tribute to officers who lost their lives during the deployment, honouring their sacrifice and reaffirming their legacy in Kenya’s peacekeeping history.
Accompanying the contingent back to Kenya were Deputy National Security Advisor and former Inspector General Joseph Boinnet, alongside Kenya’s Consul-General to Port-au-Prince and former Deputy Inspector General of APS, Noor Gabow. The officers were received by senior NPS commanders and uniformed personnel, marking the end of a demanding yet impactful mission abroad.
