On Monday, December 8, 2025, Laurent Saint-Cyr, President pro tempore and Coordinator of the Transition Council, welcomed a fifth Kenyan contingent of 230 specialized police officers on the tarmac of Toussaint Louverture International Airport. These officers were sent to reinforce the Gang Repression Force (FRG) in Haiti.

The troops, accompanied by the Kenyan delegation led by Kenya's Deputy National Security Advisor, Joseph Boinett, and Principal Deputy Inspector General James Kamau, were warmly welcomed by high-ranking Haitian officials. These included the GSF leadership, headed by Commander Godfrey Otunge; the Commander of the Armed Forces of Haiti, Lieutenant General Derby Guerrier; the Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), Vladimir Paraison; members of the High Command; and members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassadors André François Giroux (Canada) and Antoine Michon (France) and the Kenyan Consul General in Haiti, Noor Gabow.

At the same time, a group of 100 Kenyan police officers, at the end of their mission, departed the country to return home. Laurent Saint-Cyr commended the departing officers for their service during their mission and assured the remaining troops of harmonious collaboration between the Haitian authorities, the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd'H), and the Haitian National Police (PNH).

The GSF Commander, Kenyan General Godfrey Otunge, also spoke to assure that the Gang Supression Force will work in Haiti's best interests. He stated that they had learned from the experience of the Multinational Mission in Haiti (MMSS) to make the new Force more effective.

For his part, the Head of Delegation, Joseph Boinett, conveyed the greetings of Kenyan President William Ruto to the Haitian leaders and people, reaffirming President Ruto’s message that “Kenya will stand with the Haitian people to guarantee peace and stability during this transitional phase.”

As the new troops joined their counterparts from Guatemala, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, Commander Otunge welcomed them to their missions, emphasizing that their arrival comes at a critical time, following the expansion of the GSF’s mandate, and that they will play a vital role in strengthening, consolidating, and accelerating the progress already achieved. Otunge also commended the continued commitment of the other Nations present in the operational theater.

SL/ HaitiLibre