Kenyan President William Ruto Visits Haiti Amid Security Concerns

Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Haiti over the weekend, asserting that the deployment of Kenyan police forces has led to notable improvements in the country’s security situation. However, this claim is at odds with recent statements from a United Nations security expert, who warned that violence in Haiti is escalating, with gangs tightening their grip on the nation.
Upon his arrival, Ruto was greeted by armed officers and officials at the airport before heading to a Kenyan base. There, he met with police tasked with combatting gang violence, as well as Haitian and Canadian representatives. Ruto emphasized that Kenyan forces have strengthened security infrastructure and enabled some displaced Haitians to return home. Despite this, many residents express concerns that the violence remains as severe, if not worse, than prior to the arrival of international forces in June.
The visit comes as Ruto prepares for meetings with U.N. leaders in New York, where discussions will focus on providing additional support for the resource-strapped Kenyan and Jamaican forces currently deployed in Haiti. Kenya was the first nation to send police as part of a broader international effort to stabilize Haiti, which has faced increasing turmoil and conflict since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
With approximately 400 Kenyan police currently in Haiti, and a recent arrival of Jamaican troops, questions remain about whether these forces have the resources needed to effectively combat the gangs that reportedly control around 80% of Port-au-Prince.