The Consul-General of Kenya’s Consulate in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Noor Gabow made a maiden courtesy call to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission team as part of a morale boost in their efforts to contain gang violence in the Caribbean country.
Kenya has more than 800 police officers in Haiti and is leading a UN-sponsored mission to contain the gangs there.
The team is facing pressure from the gangs due to among others lack of resources to enhance their operations.
Gabow was last week formally received as the Consul-General to Haiti. It is the first time that Kenya has a Consul-General in Haiti.
He on Monday July 22 visited the MSS force commander Geoffrey Otunge for talks on the progress of the mission.
Gabow is the immediate Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police whose members are among the officers in Haiti. Otunge was one of his juniors when he served as the DIG.
According to a statement, Otunge briefed Gabow on the progress of the MSS troops in the MSS security mission.
While addressing the police officers, Gabow conveyed greetings from president William Ruto, and the Kenyan people at large.
“He sincerely appreciated the personnel for the utmost professionalism and discipline that they have exhibited and commended the MSS leadership for the steadfast guidance that has seen the deterrence of gang activities in Haiti,” a statement said.
The Consul-General urged the troops to embrace continued collaboration among the MSS personnel from diverse contingents and continue supporting the Haitian Police towards the common goal of a safer and more prosperous Haiti.
He further assured the troops of support from the Consulate in the provision of essential consular services as he wished the troops the very best in the mission.
This comes amid lobbying at the UN in New York for the renewal of the mandate of the mission. Kenyan police first landed in Haiti in June 25, 2024 for a one year operation.
There is an ongoing push for more funding for the mission amid setbacks from the gangs on the ground. Lack of enough funding has affected the operations at large, officials say.
The personnel have liberated the local port, main highway and hospital which were initially under control of gangs.
Gabow is a career police officer who has served at various levels including at UN headquarters in New York.
Reports indicate armed gangs have tightened their grip on Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, with UN officials warning it is possible a “total collapse” of state presence in the city could occur.
Violent armed gangs now have some 90 percent of Port-au-Prince under their grip, said Ghada Waly, director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. The previous assessment was 85 percent.
With the state’s capacity to govern rapidly shrinking, criminal gangs are stepping into the void, she warned.
“They are establishing parallel governance structures and providing rudimentary public services,” she said.
Gang violence has continued to soar since an organized assault prompted the resignation last year of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
He was replaced by a frail transitional council that is mandated to prepare for elections by February 2026.
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