Hundreds of Kenyan police officers leading an international security mission in Haiti have not received their full pay for two months, adding to the challenges of an already difficult deployment in the gang-ridden Caribbean nation.
The first group of Kenyan officers arrived in Haiti in June as part of a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, primarily funded by the United States. The force, now numbering around 400 officers, includes members from specialized units tasked with supporting the Haitian National Police in their fight against gang violence.
In an August 25 statement, the MSS acknowledged the delays in payment, assuring the officers that the missing funds would be deposited in their bank accounts this week. “Therefore, there is nothing to worry about regarding welfare issues of the MSS officers, since mainstream processes have been finalized,” the MSS stated.
Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) released a progress report on Monday, noting that the deployed officers have continued to receive their regular NPS salaries while awaiting additional compensation for their MSS duties.
The officers had anticipated significant supplemental pay for the Haiti assignment, which has proven to be a demanding and dangerous operation, more akin to military deployment than typical police work. Due to security concerns, the officers are restricted to their base in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, during non-working hours.
The MSS force is expected to expand to 2,500 personnel, with additional troops expected from Jamaica, Benin, Chad, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, and Belize. The mission aims to bolster the Haitian National Police in their efforts to reclaim control from gangs that currently dominate approximately 85% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
The situation in Haiti remains dire, with around 600,000 people displaced by gang violence and nearly 2 million living in constant fear in gang-controlled areas. The MSS is financed through a United Nations-managed trust fund, with significant contributions from the United States, Canada, France, and Spain. The U.S. alone has committed at least $380 million to support the mission, largely through the provision of equipment and supplies.
