Kenya’s President William Ruto arrived in Haiti on Saturday, asserting that Kenyan police efforts to combat gang violence have brought significant improvements to the country’s security. Ruto’s claims, however, were met with skepticism as a recent United Nations report warned that gang-related violence in Haiti continues to escalate.
As Ruto disembarked at Port-au-Prince’s airport, flanked by armed officers and Haitian officials, he headed directly to a Kenyan military base. There, he addressed the Kenyan forces deployed since June to assist in curbing gang activity, which has gripped the Caribbean nation and displaced thousands. Speaking at the base, Ruto praised the police for their bravery and professionalism.
“You have represented the people of Kenya with courage, professionalism, selflessness, compassion, and sufficiency,” Ruto said, commending their efforts to strengthen Haiti’s security infrastructure and facilitate the return of displaced residents.
However, his optimistic remarks come in stark contrast to the grim situation on the ground. A UN security expert reported just days earlier that violence in Haiti is worsening, with gangs expanding their control over large parts of the country, plunging civilians deeper into a state of fear and insecurity. The expert highlighted how Haitian civilians continue to be caught in a spiral of violence, with many areas still controlled by armed groups.
While President Ruto expressed hope that the Kenyan forces were making progress in stabilizing the region, local accounts paint a different picture. Many Haitians report that violence remains as pervasive as ever, with kidnappings, murders, and extortion by gangs showing no sign of abating. The fragile security situation has put additional pressure on international forces, including those from Kenya and Jamaica, who have struggled to contain the violence.
Ruto’s visit comes ahead of a planned meeting in New York with United Nations leaders, where discussions are expected to focus on how best to support the resource-strapped Kenyan and Jamaican forces, and devise new strategies to address Haiti’s ongoing crisis.
As Haiti continues to grapple with the complex web of gang warfare, economic instability, and political unrest, the question remains whether the current international intervention can bring the country back from the brink.
