A contingent of Kenyan police officers serving in Haiti has returned home, marking another milestone in the country’s participation in the multinational security mission aimed at stabilising the Caribbean nation.

The officers were received at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in a ceremony led by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, alongside his deputies Eliud Lagat and Gilbert Masengeli, and National Security Advisor David Boinett.

The National Police Service described the return as a moment of pride, honouring officers who served in a challenging environment far from home.

“They return with honour, having served with courage, discipline, and humanity in a demanding mission far from home,” the statement read.

“Welcome back. Your sacrifice and service have made the nation proud.”

The returning team forms part of Kenya’s fourth contingent deployed to Haiti under the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, which was launched in 2024 following a United Nations Security Council resolution to help restore order in the crisis-hit country.

Kenya has been the lead nation in the mission, deploying about 1,000 police officers to support the Haitian National Police in combating heavily armed gangs that control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The deployment came in response to escalating violence and political instability in Haiti, where gangs have seized control of critical infrastructure, disrupted economic activity and displaced large sections of the population.

During their tour of duty, Kenyan officers worked alongside international counterparts from countries including Jamaica, Guatemala and El Salvador, focusing on securing key installations, supporting local law enforcement and conducting anti-gang operations.

Despite operating under difficult conditions, officials say the mission recorded notable gains, including stabilising strategic facilities and reopening key transport routes, even as challenges such as underfunding and limited personnel affected overall impact.

The mission has since entered a phased drawdown, with Kenyan officers gradually returning home as operations transition to a United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force, which is expected to take on a broader and more robust mandate in tackling gang violence.

Recent reports indicate that contingents have been leaving Haiti in batches, with dozens of officers departing as part of the ongoing withdrawal process.

Kenya’s involvement in the Haiti mission has drawn both praise and scrutiny, with authorities maintaining that the deployment reflects the country’s commitment to global peacekeeping and international cooperation, while critics have questioned the mission’s effectiveness and risks to personnel.