Kenyan President William Ruto has arrived in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince to evaluate the Kenya-led security mission in the Caribbean nation. The visit follows a recent warning from a United Nations expert that Haiti is facing escalating violence and insecurity. Ruto's spokesperson stated that the purpose of the visit is to commend the Kenyan team working in collaboration with Haitian officials to address the surge in gang violence that has plagued the country for years.

The Kenyan contingent, deployed as part of a UN-backed multinational mission, arrived in Haiti approximately three months ago to combat the increasing violence perpetuated by armed groups in the region. The situation worsened towards the end of February, leading to the resignation of Haiti's prime minister and the subsequent establishment of a transitional presidential council. Despite the presence of foreign police officers, reports indicate that armed groups still control a significant portion of Port-au-Prince, underscoring the extensive security challenges faced by the nation.

According to the International Organization for Migration, over 578,000 Haitians have been internally displaced due to the persistent violence. UN human rights expert William O'Neill highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in Haiti and expressed concerns over the limited deployment and insufficient resources of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). The mission, which is set to expire early next month, has only mobilized a fraction of its planned force, posing uncertainty about Haiti's security landscape post-mandate expiration. Foreign support, notably from the United States, has been instrumental in backing the mission and advocating for additional resources to address Haiti's security, economic, and humanitarian needs.

Efforts to secure substantial aid for the mission continue, with the United States exploring options to bolster the MSS's support for Haiti in the long term. Despite past controversies surrounding UN interventions in Haiti, including a cholera outbreak in 2010 and allegations of misconduct by peacekeeping forces, civil society groups acknowledge the necessity of external assistance to mitigate the ongoing violence. The focus remains on not only enhancing security measures but also implementing safeguards to prevent potential abuses by the international police force and addressing the systemic issues contributing to Haiti's instability.