The Kenyan commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSSM) Godfrey Otunge has issued a fresh update concerning the status of the operation to regain control of the Caribbean nation.

In a statement, Otunge has urged countries to send their troops to Haiti to bolster the efforts made by the Kenyan elite police squad deployed in the country.

Speaking during a meeting with Miroslav Jenča – Under-Secretary-General Europe, Central Asia, DPPA Americas and DPO, Otunge noted that the troops had managed to reclaim various infrastructure and territories from gangs.

“Otunge shared the achievements and challenges of the MSS while stressing the need to create Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) that will play a key role in maintaining the already pacified and recaptured areas from gangs and government infrastructure,” a statement from his office highlighted.

He also added that the Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize are expected to send their advance contingents before the end of September 2024.

He stressed that this would give the MSS mission a multinational face that has been lacking, thus making MSS a Kenyan mission.

Nowhere to go

The commander pledged to support the ongoing security operations in Delmas, Solino and Croix des Bouquets.

Sending a stern warning, Otunge stressed that gang leaders would have nowhere to run and hide unless they put down their weapons and surrendered to the government where they should expect to face charges.

During the meeting, Jenča hailed and appreciated Kenya for taking a bold decision to lead and send its troops to Haiti.

The leader noted that even though it was in the deployment phase, the achievements of the MSSM have been impressive and called on other contributing countries that have not yet deployed their troops to the theatre to expedite the process.

The update comes just days after Otunge assured the Kenyan troops of their fair compensation after a slight delay in the payment of their dues.

“Going forward, an elaborate mechanism has been put in place where payments will be promptly done at the end of the month. Therefore, there is nothing to worry about welfare issues of the MSS officers since mainstream processes have been finalized,” MSS noted in a statement on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

This was preceded by reports by relatives of the Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti that they had missed salaries for the second month into the mission.