Interior Cabinet Secretary Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen this morning saw off the second batch of 217 Kenyan police officers set to join the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti.
This deployment follows the first group of 400 officers who were sent to the Caribbean nation mid-last year to assist in restoring peace amidst rising gang violence.
Addressing the officers before they left, CS Kipchumba lauded their commitment to the mission and highlighted the significant progress made by the Kenya-led operation.
“Our mission in Haiti has made tremendous strides in reducing gang violence, earning praise from both the outgoing and incoming US administrations,” he stated.
The CS expressed immense pride in Kenya’s continued support to Haiti, noting that the officers would not only gain valuable experience but also serve as inspiration for other nations to join the Kenyan-led force.
“This mission will allow you to gain useful experience and be ambassadors of peace, showing the world that Kenya is committed to global security,” he remarked.
Emphasizing the importance of discipline and patriotism, the CS urged the team to uphold the values of integrity and dedication throughout their deployment.
“You are making a sacrifice for humanity,” Hon. Kipchumba told the officers, acknowledging the risks involved in the mission.
Also present at the send-off ceremony were key security officials including National Security Advisor Dr. Monica Juma, Deputy National Security Advisor Mr. Joseph Boinnet, PS for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo, and Inspector General of Police Mr. Douglas Kanja, among other senior officers.
The Kenyan police mission in Haiti has been widely regarded as a significant contribution to global peacekeeping efforts, especially in the face of escalating violence and instability in the country.
The ongoing mission has been instrumental in restoring some semblance of order in Haiti, with the team’s professionalism and dedication being recognized internationally.
