Protests Erupt in Haiti as Crowds Attempt to Halt Kenyan Police Withdrawal
Large demonstrations took place in Haiti this week as residents protested the withdrawal of Kenyan police officers serving under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
Crowds gathered in towns including Petite Rivière and Pont-Sondé, blocking roads and attempting to prevent the officers from leaving. Witnesses said many protesters feared the departure would leave communities more exposed to escalating gang violence.
The unrest followed Kenya’s announcement that its personnel would return home after completing an 18-month deployment. While the decision was welcomed in Nairobi, reactions in Haiti were markedly different.
Videos shared online showed large groups surrounding compounds, erecting roadblocks and confronting officers as they moved through affected areas. Authorities later used helicopters to evacuate Kenyan personnel due to the scale of the disruption.
During their deployment, Kenyan forces were involved in efforts to stabilise parts of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. They secured key infrastructure, including airports and hospitals, reopened major transport routes, and supported the return of more than 2,000 Haitian police officers to active duty.
These operations helped restore limited movement and security in areas previously affected by gang control. The withdrawal marks the end of Kenya’s leadership role in the MSS mission.
Responsibility for the operation will now pass to Chad, which is expected to lead a newly structured multinational force.
