Haiti Civilians Protest Departure of Kenyan Police

Residents in Haiti have staged protests after reports emerged that Kenyan police officers serving in the peace mission are preparing to leave the country.

The officers are part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), which was deployed to help restore peace in the Caribbean nation that has been facing gang violence and insecurity.

According to reports, some civilians blocked roads in areas such as St. Marks and Pont Sonde to stop the officers from leaving. Many residents fear that criminal gangs could return and cause more violence once the Kenyan officers depart.

Videos circulating online showed protesters putting up barricades on roads to block the movement of the police officers. Due to the tension on the ground, helicopters were reportedly used to airlift some officers from Petite Rivière and nearby areas after road access became unsafe.

The withdrawal of the Kenyan-led mission comes as a new security team known as the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) takes over operations in Haiti. The new force was approved by the United Nations Security Council in October 2025.

Reports indicate that the new mission will be led by Chadian forces, with the first group of officers having already arrived in Haiti earlier this month.

The new mission will be headed by South African U.N. official Jack Christofides, who takes over from Kenya’s Godfrey Otunge, the former commander of the MSS mission.

The protests show that many Haitians had developed confidence in the Kenyan officers and are worried about what may happen after their exit.