Kenya police chief denies claims that Haiti peacekeepers haven't been paid in months

In recent weeks, reports surfaced claiming that Kenyan police officers participating in a United Nations-backed peacekeeping mission in Haiti had not received their salaries for a duration exceeding three months. This mission, which commenced in June 2023, was established with the aim of addressing escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. The police inspector general of Kenya, Douglas Kanja, officially responded to these allegations on a Thursday, asserting that all officers serving in Haiti had indeed been compensated up to the end of October 2023. Kanja's statement was prompted by complaints from deployed officers to Kenyan media outlets, which indicated dissatisfaction concerning their remuneration. The Kenyan police force has taken a significant role in the ongoing efforts to stabilize Haiti, where gang-related violence has surged alarmingly, resulting in more than 4,500 fatalities this year alone. This alarming trend has generated substantial concern among both the local population and international observers. While some Haitians have expressed support for the intervention, the mixed historical outcomes of previous foreign missions in Haiti have fostered skepticism within the community. The prior UN peacekeeping efforts experienced severe challenges, including scandals involving sexual misconduct and the introduction of a cholera outbreak that tragically claimed nearly 10,000 lives. Moreover, financial reports indicate that Kenya's government has allocated over 2 billion Kenyan shillings (approximately $15 million) to cover costs associated with the peacekeeping mission, awaiting reimbursement from the United Nations. Treasury Minister John Mbadi emphasized that these expenditures originate from Kenya's own funds to maintain the commitment to international peacekeeping responsibilities. Despite the financial strain, this mission marks Kenya's fourth significant foreign police intervention in Haiti, reflecting ongoing global initiatives to address crippling violence empowered by gangs. The urgency and intensity of the situation have escalated further, as gang violence shows no signs of abating. Reports from the United Nations indicate that in addition to widespread fatalities, thousands more individuals have been injured or displaced as territorial conflicts fuel increasingly violent encounters. There are growing concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Kenyan-led mission, particularly due to a perceived lack of adequate resources and funding, which has hindered the mission's capacity to combat gang strongholds. Critically, a demand for a robust and sustainable peacekeeping framework is becoming evident, stressing the need for enhanced collaboration among international partners to assist in restoring order and stability in Haiti.