Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti have begun returning home, marking the start of a phased withdrawal under a major restructuring of the international security mission.

In a statement on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the Ministry of Interior said the 215 officers from the second contingent of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission touched down in Nairobi.

“215 police officers, who formed the second contingent of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to Haiti, have safely returned home. The officers were part of our 2023 deployment to support efforts to stabilise Haiti and assist the Haitian National Police in restoring public order in areas affected by insecurity,” the ministry wrote on X.

The officers were received by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, alongside Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and other senior security officials.

The government also confirmed the safe return of the officers, describing it as a significant milestone in Kenya’s involvement in the Haiti mission.

“Their service formed part of Kenya’s broader leadership role in the UN-backed multinational mission aimed at protecting civilians, securing critical infrastructure, and strengthening local security responses,” the ministry said.

The return comes as the mission undergoes a transition that will see Chadian forces take over from Kenyan officers. According to Roberto Alvarez, troops from Chad, currently undergoing training in the United States, are expected to begin deploying in April.

He explained that the shift is part of a revamped UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) aimed at strengthening efforts to combat Haiti’s powerful armed gangs.

Under the new arrangement, Kenyan personnel will be withdrawn in phases as the Chadian contingent is gradually introduced.

Meanwhile, the United Nations (UN) has outlined plans to fully deploy the restructured force by October, in what is seen as a renewed push to stabilise Haiti.

The mission is expected to expand significantly, with the United Nations Security Council targeting a force of about 5,500 personnel.

The revamped operation will also come with enhanced powers, including the authority to arrest suspected gang members, an effort aimed at restoring order in the crisis-hit Caribbean nation.

Even so, UN human rights expert William O’Neill cautioned that the coming months will be critical. While acknowledging the severity of the crisis, he expressed optimism that the situation can still be contained if the international community acts decisively, noting that the gangs, though disruptive, are not insurmountable.

“The liberation of territory from gangs and a more “motivated and visible” police presence are offering a glimmer of hope for Haitians amid ongoing violence and insecurity,” he said on a viral video.