Pay disputes, equipment shortages, and a lack of manpower are severely impacting the morale and effectiveness of Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti, according to statements made by four officers to media.
The officers, who are part of a Kenyan-led mission tasked with restoring order in Haiti, are grappling with inadequate resources as they confront heavily armed gangs in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti, which has been ravaged by three years of rampant gang violence, including killings, rapes, and extortion, is relying on the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to restore enough security to hold elections by February 2026.
However, the mission has been plagued by delays and challenges since its authorization by the U.N. Security Council last October.
The initial deployment of nearly 200 Kenyan officers arrived in Port-au-Prince in late June, with a similar-sized contingent joining three weeks later. The mission is expected to eventually include around 2,500 personnel from at least 10 countries. However, the deployment has been slow, partly due to funding issues.
While the United States has contributed $369 million in financial support, equipment, and services, the U.N. fund has only secured about $68 million, leaving a shortfall of over $150 million from the estimated $589 million needed for the first year of operations.
The officers, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the lack of equipment and resources. Despite assurances that more equipment was on the way, they reported having to engage in combat with limited resources. “The sluggish pace of the whole process means it will be very difficult to stick to the deadlines that the transitional government has agreed,” said Diego Da Rin, Haiti analyst at the International Crisis Group.
Kenyan police spokesperson Resila Onyango acknowledged the concerns but noted that additional vehicles and equipment from the U.S. government had recently been received, enhancing joint operations with Haitian counterparts. The U.S. State Department also highlighted the delivery of armored vehicles, radio sets, and computer systems as signs of “remarkable” progress in Haiti.
However, the officers reported facing heavy fire from gang members positioned in tall buildings, with limited ability to respond due to a lack of armored platforms and radios. The State Department mentioned that the U.S. Air Force had begun delivering armored platforms and sufficient radio systems, but the officers questioned the wisdom of deploying before all necessary equipment was ready.
The officers have been primarily patrolling major roads in Port-au-Prince and conducting joint operations with Haitian police, with mixed results. In one operation in Ganthier, the police were initially successful in driving out gangs, but the gangs quickly returned after the police withdrew due to insufficient numbers to hold the town.
In addition to equipment shortages, uncertainty around pay has further strained morale. The officers were promised monthly bonuses of around $1,500, significantly higher than their regular salaries, but many have not received the full amount. Some officers reported receiving only about $750, with no explanation for the discrepancy.
Despite these challenges, the mission is expected to grow to 1,000 personnel in the coming months, with Jamaica, which has pledged 200 personnel, planning its initial deployment. However, for the officers already on the ground, the situation remains difficult. “It is very demoralizing,” said one senior officer. The Kenyan police spokesperson did not respond to questions about the pay issues.