'Welcome Back Home': President Ruto Thanks Kenyan Police for Their Haiti Mission Efforts

By Hassan Wekesa - Editor

Kenya, 4 September 2026 - President William Ruto on Friday thanked the Kenyan Police officers who were part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission for Haiti (MSS-Haiti Mission), stating that they did commendable job, putting their lives at risk to help children, women and the people of Haiti from violence that was being meted out on them by gangs.

Speaking during the flag handover where the officers formally returned the flag to Kenyan authorities after successful mission, the Head of State said that he kept abreast over what Kenyan police officers were doing in Haiti and that he was in constant communication with their commander and the Inspector General of Police (IG) Douglas Kanja.

"You did a wonderful and commendable job," President Ruto said at Embakasi.

The President also presided over the Administration Police's pass-out parade at the same venue.

Administration Police Recruits Passing-out Parade, Nairobi — President William Ruto presiding over the Administration Police recruits passing-out parade in Embakasi, Nairobi on 4 September 2026. Photo: Video grab

He lay a wreath to honour Kenyan police officers who lost their lives during the Haiti operation.

MSS-Haiti Mission was formed to help the Haitian National Police fight armed gangs and restore safety.

It was mainly led by police and security personnel from Kenya after it was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.

The mission has since rebranded and transitioned into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) under a renewed UN mandate.

In April 2026, Kenya’s security mission in Haiti entered its final stretch, with top officials meeting the last batch of officers as they prepared to return home.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and IG Kanja met the remaining Kenyan contingent serving under the MSS-Haiti mission at the time.

During the visit, Kanja and Murkomen were received by MSS Contingent Commander Mr Godfrey Otunge and Kenya’s Consul General to Haiti Mr Noor Gabow, who briefed them on operations, gains made and the ongoing drawdown.

Addressing the officers, Mr Murkomen praised their role in stabilising Haiti and acknowledged the risks they had taken.

“You have demonstrated unwavering commitment and sacrifice in restoring law and order. Kenya stands proud of you,” he said.

He also delivered a goodwill message from President Dr William Ruto, assuring the officers of the country’s support.

On his part, IG Kanja commended the contingent for professionalism and discipline during the mission.

Transition After UN Resolution

The Kenya-led MSS has since evolved into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

Officials say the deployment has achieved key milestones, particularly in pacification and stabilisation efforts.

Kenyan officers returned to Nairobi in batches in phased drawdown.

That group formed part of the initial deployment units that had been on the ground during the most intense phase of operations, including securing key infrastructure and supporting local law enforcement in gang-affected areas.

Security briefings at the time indicated the officers had helped reclaim strategic zones, reopen critical transport corridors and support humanitarian access in volatile neighbourhoods.

Kenyan government originally pledged a full force of 1,000 personnel, where first batch of 400 personnel was deployed in 2024. Fresh personnel rotations continued up to late 2025, bringing the cumulative number of deployed Kenyan officers to about 980.

At least three police officers died during the mission. Police Constable Samuel Tompoi Kaetuai, 31, was the first Kenyan casualty of the mission after he was fatally shot on 23 February 2025, during a fierce anti-gang operation targeting the Gran Grif gang in Ségur-Savien, within the Artibonite region.

Another officer, Police Constable Benedict Kabiru, went missing on 25 March 2025, following a deadly gang ambush along the Carrefour Paye-Savien supply route in the Artibonite Department. After a six-month search and rescue operation, the National Police Service (NPS) officially confirmed his death in September 2025.

The third police officer to die was Corporal Kennedy Mutuku Nzuve, who was 41 years old at the time of his demise. He was a member of the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU). Corporal Nzuve died on 31 August 2025, in a tragic road accident. The crash occurred along the Kenscoff–Pétion-Ville road while towing a disabled MaxPro armored vehicle, which also claimed the lives of two local civilians. Nzuve's body was flown back to Kenya, and he was laid to rest on 2 October 2025 at his home in Machakos County.