In a bid to tackle the escalating gang violence that has plagued Haiti in recent years, the country has welcomed the fourth major foreign intervention in its history. A contingent of a couple hundred police officers from Kenya met with Prime Minister Garry Conille early Wednesday as they prepare for deployment in the upcoming days. The specific details of their assignment remain undisclosed for security reasons.

Haitians have expressed a sense of anticipation mixed with fear as they hope for relief from the gangs that have devastated their communities. Gangs have wreaked havoc in the capital city of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas, engaging in acts of violence such as killings, rapes, and kidnappings. These acts have left thousands of people displaced and unemployed, exacerbating the already dire poverty situation.

The first wave of foreign police, backed by the United Nations, arrived on Monday. They will soon be joined by additional police and soldiers from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, bringing the total deployment to 2,500 personnel. Prime Minister Conille outlined the Haitian strategy of restoring security gradually, starting from individual houses, neighborhoods, and towns.

However, the challenges facing the intervention force are significant. Gangs currently control 80% of Port-au-Prince and possess superior weaponry compared to Haiti's National Police, including assault rifles and even .50 caliber bullets. The coordinated attacks launched by the gangs in late February resulted in the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and widespread chaos as they targeted police stations, the main international airport, and two major prisons, resulting in the release of thousands of inmates.

The success of the Kenyan-led intervention mission will largely depend on whether they can prove their effectiveness and gain the trust of the Haitian population, who already harbor deep distrust towards a government known for corruption and its connections to criminal gangs. Sabrina Karim, an assistant professor of government at Cornell University, emphasized the importance of accountability in winning public acceptance for the mission.

While the Kenyan police face scrutiny due to their own past allegations of abuse, including extrajudicial killings, nonprofit organizations working in Haiti have voiced concerns about the mission, particularly regarding the involvement of children in armed groups. The U.S.-based nonprofit Save the Children warned of the significant risk of child casualties and stressed the importance of treating these children as victims of child rights violations rather than militias.

Haitians are closely observing the Kenyan-led intervention efforts, holding onto a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. Among them is Frantz Pradieu, a carpenter who expressed optimism that if the Kenyans work diligently, the economy could revive in the coming months. The high unemployment rates and pervasive fear caused by kidnappings and rapes have created a catastrophic situation that desperately needs to be addressed.

As Haiti places its hopes on this foreign intervention, the outcome remains uncertain. Only time will tell if the combined efforts of the international forces can bring peace and stability to a nation weary of violence and longing for a better future.