Kenya’s Ruto Claims Security Progress in Haiti, UN Disagrees \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Kenya’s President William Ruto visited Haiti on Saturday, praising Kenyan police efforts to combat gangs, despite a recent U.N. expert’s warning that violence in the country is worsening. Ruto commended the police for boosting security, though many Haitians report that gang violence remains rampant. Ruto’s visit comes as international forces continue to struggle with insufficient resources and Haiti’s fragile political situation.
Ruto Visits Haiti Amid Rising Gang Violence Quick Looks
- Kenyan Forces in Haiti: President William Ruto visited Kenyan police deployed to Haiti, claiming their presence has improved security, despite contradictory reports from U.N. experts.
- U.N. Expert Contradiction: A U.N. human rights expert recently warned that gang violence is escalating across Haiti, with the local police lacking the capacity to contain the gangs.
- International Support Lags: About 400 Kenyan police are currently deployed in Haiti, but international forces remain under-resourced, as gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince.
- Ruto’s Future Discussions: Ruto plans to meet U.N. leaders to discuss support for Kenyan and Jamaican forces working to curb Haiti’s worsening security crisis.
- Haiti’s Political Unrest: Ruto’s visit follows the creation of a provisional electoral council aimed at holding the first general election since 2016, amid hopes for restoring order.
Deep Look
Kenya’s President William Ruto arrived in Haiti on Saturday, expressing optimism about the efforts of Kenyan police deployed to help combat the gangs that have taken control of much of the Caribbean nation. Ruto’s visit comes amid growing international concerns about Haiti’s security situation, which has spiraled into chaos since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Ruto’s remarks, however, contrasted sharply with recent warnings from U.N. human rights experts about the escalating violence. While the Kenyan president praised the police for improving security and allowing displaced Haitians to return to their homes, U.N. officials and local Haitians have reported that violence is only spreading, with gangs continuing to expand their control over new territory.
As Ruto stepped off the plane in Port-au-Prince, he was greeted by armed officers and walked down a small patch of red carpet before heading to a Kenyan base at the airport. He met with Kenyan police tasked with battling the gangs, as well as high-ranking officials from Haiti and Canada. Speaking at a podium, Ruto addressed the assembled Kenyan forces, commending them for their “courage, professionalism, selflessness, and compassion.” He claimed that the Kenyan presence had strengthened security infrastructure and enabled displaced people to return, though many Haitians dispute these claims, saying that violence remains as pervasive as ever.
Ruto’s visit comes at a critical moment for Haiti, where an estimated 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is controlled by gangs. Haiti’s security forces remain overstretched, under-resourced, and overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the gang violence, prompting international interventions from nations like Kenya and Jamaica. Around 400 Kenyan police officers were deployed in June as part of a broader U.N. initiative to stabilize the country. Earlier this month, about two dozen Jamaican police and soldiers arrived to support the mission, but the deployment of additional forces has been slow.
The Kenyan forces’ mission is part of a larger U.N.-backed effort to restore order in Haiti, which has seen a dramatic increase in violence since Moïse’s assassination. In response to the escalating conflict, the U.S. and other countries have pledged further support, but many argue that the current level of international assistance is insufficient. The United States has been vocal about the need for greater intervention, although a proposal for a U.N. peacekeeping force has been met with skepticism, given the controversial legacy of past U.N. missions in Haiti. The last U.N. peacekeeping deployment in the country led to outbreaks of cholera and allegations of sexual abuse, casting a long shadow over future peacekeeping efforts.
While Ruto’s visit is intended to rally international support and boost the morale of the Kenyan forces, U.N. human rights expert William O’Neill issued a grim report just days before the president’s arrival. O’Neill, who visited Haiti last week, warned that gang violence was worsening, with Haitian authorities unable to contain the armed groups. He emphasized that the Haitian National Police lacked the logistical and technical resources necessary to combat the gangs, who continue to seize control of new areas. O’Neill painted a dire picture of the humanitarian crisis, highlighting rising inflation, shortages of basic goods, and an increasing number of internally displaced people, particularly vulnerable women and children.
Ruto’s visit is also closely tied to the international community’s focus on restoring political stability in Haiti. In the aftermath of Moïse’s assassination, the country has struggled with a power vacuum, with gangs filling the void left by the weak government. Amid these challenges, Haiti has made some steps toward organizing elections. Just days before Ruto’s arrival, Haiti established a provisional electoral council, long demanded by the international community. This move is seen as a critical step toward holding the country’s first general election since 2016, with the hope that a new government could help restore order and reduce gang violence.
While elections could offer a glimmer of hope for Haiti, the challenges remain immense. Gangs continue to control large swaths of the country, and the efforts of international forces like those from Kenya and Jamaica have so far been unable to turn the tide. In addition to the forces already deployed, other nations—including The Bahamas, Barbados, Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad—have pledged to send police and soldiers to support the mission. However, it remains unclear when these additional forces will arrive and whether they will be enough to make a meaningful difference in the fight against the gangs.
The U.S. and NATO allies have made it clear that stabilizing Haiti is a global priority, with fears that unchecked violence could lead to wider instability in the Caribbean. However, many have expressed frustration with the slow pace of international support and the lack of resources available to the forces on the ground.
As Ruto prepares to leave Haiti and head to New York for meetings with U.N. leaders, he faces the daunting task of rallying further assistance for the Kenyan and Jamaican forces struggling to bring peace to Haiti. With gang violence on the rise and political uncertainty lingering, the road to recovery for Haiti remains long and fraught with challenges.
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