Some of the police officers attached to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti have sent greetings to their families back in Kenya.
They did this in recorded videos that were shared on social media.
In the videos, the officers shared greetings with their loved ones saying they are safe and happy in Haiti.
Some of the officers have been on the mission since June 2024.
Their one-year term ends in June 2025 when a new team will be sent to replace them.
One of the officers identified as William Ongach said they are representing the country well.
“I send greetings to my family, wife, children. Let them continue to pray for us until we come back safely,” he said.
Sheikh Abdi from Masalani in Garissa said they were safe.
Nelly Mwihaki said she was fine in the mission and asked for prayers.
Mercy Odao sent greetings to all and declared they were all happy.
In a different clip, the mission director of communication and spokesperson Jack Ombaka was seen in a classroom leading pupils in a Swahili song –Jambo Bwana- as he translated the same to French.
The mission currently has over 600 cops from Kenya.
More personnel are set to leave for Haiti on June 26 and in February, according to insiders.
MSS, headquartered in Port-au-Prince, is an international operation led by Kenya and authorised by the United Nations Security Council to assist the Haiti National Police in restoring peace, law and order amid threats of criminal gangs and violence.
There are currently police and military officers from Jamaica, and soldiers from the Bahamas, Belize, Guatemala and El Salvador.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had said the MSS team and those from Haiti National Police have jointly accelerated efforts to ensure a reduction in crime and violence and promote a more secure environment.
“The reopening of schools and colleges on October 2, 2024, and the subsequent reopening of courts on October 7, 2024, is a testament to the improved security conditions, despite the ongoing threat by gangs.”
“Civilian protection focus has ensured increased seizure of harmful exposure like drug, arms, and ammunition by the police and is an indication of efforts to cut off the major funding sources for gangs,” he said.
He added the team has conducted education on responsible and lawful behavior through community engagement forums.
These programs help in fostering a more cooperative environment between security agencies and the civilian population. Murkomen said the team has prioritized the protection of children and educational institutions.
Sensitisation and outreach programmes to discourage gang affiliation have been consistently carried out, ensuring children’s safety and promoting educational continuity.
MSS is supporting the HNP in securing the Police
School with a four-month fast–track basic training of 747 cadets which began on August 27, 2024, and whose trainees successfully graduated on January 10, 2025.
