'East or West, home is best,' Kenyan officers from Haiti share 18-month experience

Kenyan police officers who served under the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti have recounted their experiences and the challenges faced during the 18-month deployment in the Caribbean nation.

Speaking a day after their return, the officers said that despite operating under difficult and often dangerous conditions, they rose to the task, helping to reclaim and restore critical infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities, from armed gangs.

On Wednesday, an official welcoming breakfast was hosted for the officers by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen. Here, the officers expressed delight at finally reuniting with their families and looking forward to celebrating Christmas at home after missing last year’s festivities.

“I’m very happy to be back to join my family and friends," another P. Wahonya said.

Joseph Kiriago added, "Ni shukran kwa Wakenya kwa maana waliweka imani na sisi, na tumerudi tukiwa salama.”

The officers, who formed the first contingent deployed to Haiti in June last year, recounted the demanding nature of the mission, which they undertook under dangerous conditions in the gang-troubled Caribbean nation.

“We have been in Haiti and have undergone challenges, but we rose to the task and restored peace," SSP Imbiru noted.

CS Murkomen praised the officers for the successful completion of the 18-month peacekeeping mission in Haiti, saying they demonstrated exceptional courage and professionalism—efforts that helped restore a measure of order in the gang-ravaged nation.

“For many years, the Haitians never had a chance to do exams, young children. Because of the order you restored, you have saved the present and the future," he said.

The Cabinet Secretary, together with the Inspector General of Police, also expressed regret over the deaths of three officers while serving under the Multinational Security Support Mission.

They arrived in a nation gripped by gang violence and helped restore a measure of order. Now, as they return home, they are being hailed as heroes for their role in stabilising the troubled Caribbean country.

On Tuesday evening, the first group of Kenyan police officers who concluded an 18-month peacekeeping deployment in Haiti arrived in Kenya.

Their return marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s expanding role in global peace and security efforts.

The officers were dispatched last year after President William Ruto entrusted the contingent with the national flag, symbolising Kenya’s commitment to international cooperation and humanitarian protection.

Their homecoming now reflects what officials describe as a “mission accomplished” under the Multi-National Security Support Mission—recently renamed the Gang Suppression Force.