Kenyan police in patrol in Port-au-Prince . IMAGE : Courtesy
In Summary:
- A Kenyan police officer in Haiti was injured during a confrontation with gangs while on patrol in Port-au-Prince.
- The incident highlights the ongoing efforts of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to stabilize gang-controlled areas in the capital.
A Kenyan police officer was shot and injured during a confrontation with gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The officer is part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is working alongside local officials to stabilize the capital, which has been heavily affected by gang violence.
The incident occurred on July 30 while the MSS team was patrolling the National Hospital-APN Sea Port road.
According to Godfrey Otunge, head of the mission, the team noticed a lorry being attacked and looted by suspected gangsters.
The gang had already shot dead the driver and were stealing bags of rice from the truck.
“The patrol team immediately engaged the gangs after they started shooting at them,” Otunge reported. “One Kenyan contingent sustained a gunshot injury on the shoulder in the process and was evacuated to Life Support Area (LSA) Hospital for management.”
The injured officer sustained damage to the left acromioclavicular joint and soft tissue but is in stable condition and awaiting further medical attention.
Otunge added that the gangs, suffering serious injuries, fled into the tall buildings from which they were shooting.
This event followed another confrontation the previous day, July 29, when the MSS team and local police engaged gangs in a shootout during Prime Minister Garry Conille’s visit to a hospital in Port-au-Prince.
Although there were gunshots fired by both sides, no injuries were reported during the Prime Minister’s visit.
“The hospital is still under the control of the HNP and the MSS contingent. No fatalities or injuries from HNP and MSS were recorded during the successful event,” stated Otunge and Haitian National Police Director General Normil Rameau in a joint statement.
Following these incidents, investigations have been initiated to determine the cause of the increased gang activity.
Kenyan police are in Haiti as part of a broader effort to help local authorities regain control over areas that gangs have nearly overrun.
The MSS mission has made significant progress, securing key locations such as the main port, a major highway, and the hospital.
The mission has also received support from other countries, including Benin, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Algeria, Canada, and France.
These international efforts aim to restore order and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, which has been hindered by gang control.
Despite the challenges, the Kenyan police and their international counterparts continue daily operations to stabilize Haiti and reclaim critical facilities from gang control.