The final group of 150 Kenyan police officers has arrived back in the country, marking the official end of Kenya’s 18-month deployment to Haiti under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission.
The officers landed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday evening, where they were received by Douglas Kanja alongside Gilbert Masengeli.
Tense Exit from Haiti
Their return follows a tense and chaotic exit from Haiti, where sections of the local population protested the withdrawal. Citizens reportedly barricaded roads and staged demonstrations, expressing fears that the departure of Kenyan forces could lead to a resurgence of gang violence.
The situation escalated to the point where authorities had to deploy helicopters to evacuate officers from volatile areas, including bases in Petite Riviere and Pont-Sonde, ensuring their safe extraction amid the unrest.
A Mission with Lasting Impact
Despite the dramatic conclusion, the mission is being viewed as a significant intervention in Haiti’s security landscape. During their deployment, Kenyan officers played a key role in stabilising critical areas, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
They helped secure vital infrastructure such as the country’s main airport and several hospitals, while also reopening key transport routes that had previously been under the control of armed gangs.
In addition, the Kenyan contingent contributed to rebuilding local law enforcement capacity by supporting the reintegration of more than 2,000 Haitian police officers into active service.
Restoring Order Amid Instability
While Haiti continues to face complex security challenges, the presence of Kenyan forces helped restore a degree of order and normalcy in parts of the country during the mission period.
The completion of the deployment now shifts attention to how local authorities and international partners will sustain the progress made, even as concerns linger among Haitians about the potential security vacuum left behind.
Kenya’s involvement in the MSS mission has been widely recognised as a major international policing effort, highlighting the country’s growing role in global peace and security operations.


