Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti as part of an international security mission have not received their full pay for two months, adding to the challenges of an already demanding assignment. The officers, who began arriving in June, are leading efforts to combat gang violence in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, but have expressed frustration over the delayed payments.
Around 400 Kenyan police officers, including members of specialized units, are currently in Haiti as part of a U.N.-authorized multinational security support mission (MSS). This mission was initiated to help restore order in a country where gangs have taken control of significant portions of the capital. The operation, primarily funded by the United States, has faced logistical challenges, including delays in disbursing the promised supplemental pay to the Kenyan officers.
The officers had expected to receive additional compensation for their deployment, given the intense and dangerous nature of the mission. Confined to their base during off-duty hours and operating in a volatile environment, the delay in payments has become a significant source of concern, especially as many officers need the money to support their families back in Kenya, where schools have just reopened.
In response to the growing concerns, the MSS issued a statement on August 25, acknowledging the delays and assuring that the missing payments would be processed within the week. Kenya’s National Police Service (NPS) also confirmed that while the supplemental pay had been delayed, the officers continued to receive their regular salaries.
Despite these reassurances, the situation has left many officers feeling frustrated and unsupported.
The mission in Haiti is expected to grow, with additional personnel from countries like Jamaica, Benin, and Bangladesh joining the effort. The security situation in Haiti remains dire, with gangs controlling much of Port-au-Prince and displacing hundreds of thousands of residents. The Kenyan contingent, which was the first to arrive as part of the MSS, plays a crucial role in supporting the Haitian National Police in their fight against these armed groups.
The U.S. military has recently announced the delivery of 24 additional armored vehicles to support the Kenyan forces in Haiti.
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