Kenyan Soldiers Begin Patrols in Haiti in American Armored Vehicles.

Hundreds of Kenyan soldiers deployed to Haiti began patrolling the streets around the National Palace. Gunfire was heard during the operation, and an American armored vehicle broke down. 

On Wednesday, Kenyan soldiers in American MRAP vehicles patrolled the streets of Port au Prince near the National Palance. The troops are in Haiti on a UN Security Council-endorsed mission to take control of the capital city from armed groups. 

In recent years, gangs have seized a growing portion of Port au Prince from the government. The situation worsened after the US-backed Ariel Henry’s accretion to power after the assassination of President Jovenal Mosie in 2021. Henry recently agreed to hand over control of Haiti at the White House’s urging. Gangs currently control 80% of Port au Prince. 

The first patrols in Port au Prince were not uneventful for the Kenyan soldiers. Scores of gunshots were reported, and Haitian journalist Windy Phele posted a video on X showing one of the armored vehicles getting towed. 

Hundreds of Kenyan soldiers arrived in Haiti in recent weeks after months of delays. The Kenyan operations in Haiti – dubbed a policing mission – are supported and funded by the US.  

The new US-backed government in Haiti, led by Prime Minister Gary Conille, issued a series of decrees empowering the Kenyan soldiers to target the armed Haitian groups. This “will allow the government to have the necessary tools and instruments to act, confront the bandits and restore the authority of the state.” He added, “The final objective is to take back all the areas that are controlled by the gangs, house by house, neighborhood by neighborhood, and city by city.”