New agreement ensures emergency medical and repatriation support for Kenyan police officers deployed under UN-backed mission
NAIROBI, KENYA — Kenya and the Dominican Republic have signed a strategic bilateral agreement aimed at enhancing support for Kenyan police officers currently deployed in Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed multinational mission battling the country’s escalating gang violence.
The agreement, finalized on Monday, was signed in Santo Domingo by Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez, and Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi. It marks a critical step forward in Kenya’s commitment to stabilizing Haiti, a nation that has been plagued by extreme lawlessness and deteriorating security for years.
Under the agreement, Kenyan police officers participating in the peacekeeping effort will receive crucial medical care and repatriation assistance in the event of injury or death during deployment. The deal also includes logistical provisions for emergency evacuations, including access to Dominican territory for transit and medical facilities.
“This agreement strengthens our commitment to supporting global peace and security efforts,” Mudavadi said during the signing ceremony. “It ensures our officers serving in difficult and dangerous missions abroad are not left vulnerable in times of emergency.”
Securing Support for an Underfunded Mission
The newly signed pact comes as Haiti’s National Police, heavily overwhelmed and outmatched by increasingly aggressive gangs, continues to rely on international reinforcement. The multinational security mission led by Kenyan police is part of a UN-endorsed effort to curb criminal control in Haiti, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
However, the mission remains critically under-resourced. Out of the 2,500 security personnel originally envisioned for deployment, only around 1,000 have been mobilized so far. Despite the limited numbers, Kenyan officers have already been actively engaged on the ground and, tragically, some have been injured or killed in action, according to reports from regional security sources.
The Dominican Republic’s support is seen as vital given its proximity to Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with its eastern neighbor. The agreement provides Kenya with a reliable partner in the region for medical evacuations, supply routes, and dignified repatriation for fallen officers.
“The Dominican Republic stands firmly with the international community in supporting peace and the return of law and order to Haiti,” said Foreign Minister Álvarez. “This agreement is our contribution toward a broader humanitarian and security effort to stabilize the region.”
Rising Gang Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
The backdrop to this diplomatic development is Haiti’s rapidly spiraling violence. Armed gangs now control at least 85% of Port-au-Prince, effectively dismantling what remains of central government authority. Even previously secure zones have been overrun in recent months, sparking mass displacement and widespread fear among the civilian population.
According to United Nations data, over 5,600 people were killed in Haiti in 2023 alone. The violence has surged in recent months, with a shocking 1,086 fatalities and 383 injuries reported in just February and March of this year. Gang turf wars, kidnappings, and executions have become commonplace, further compounding the country’s long-standing political and economic instability.
More than one million Haitians are currently homeless due to the violence, with many living in makeshift camps or fleeing toward the Dominican Republic border. Human rights organizations have warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe if immediate and coordinated international action is not taken.
Kenya’s Role in Restoring Order
Kenya’s leadership in the multinational mission was approved by the United Nations in 2023, with Nairobi committing to spearhead an African-led intervention to assist Haiti’s struggling police force. President William Ruto described the mission as a moral obligation rooted in pan-African solidarity and global cooperation.
Despite domestic legal challenges and concerns over operational risks, Kenya has pressed ahead with deployment. The government says it remains committed to helping restore peace and stability in Haiti while also ensuring the safety and welfare of its personnel.
The new agreement with the Dominican Republic addresses one of the major concerns raised by critics and human rights groups—the lack of infrastructure to treat wounded officers or handle fatalities appropriately in a high-risk deployment zone.
“We can now say with confidence that should our officers face danger, there is a robust support system to respond swiftly and with dignity,” said Mudavadi. “This is not just about logistics—it’s about humanity.”
International Response and Future of the Mission
The United States, Canada, and other Western nations have pledged financial and logistical backing for the mission but have so far refrained from contributing troops. Critics have argued that the mission’s success depends on a significant ramp-up in international involvement, including boots on the ground and sustained humanitarian assistance.
Security experts believe that while the Kenyan-led force brings renewed hope, the deployment must be scaled up quickly and accompanied by broader efforts to rebuild Haiti’s institutions, particularly law enforcement and the judiciary.
“Deploying international police is only one part of the solution,” said Dr. Marie Fontaine, a Caribbean security analyst. “Without robust political backing, development funding, and long-term stabilization plans, Haiti risks falling back into chaos even after temporary interventions.”
A Step Toward Regional Solidarity
The Kenya-Dominican Republic agreement is also being seen as a model for regional solidarity and South-South cooperation in global peacekeeping efforts. It illustrates how geographically diverse nations can work together to support missions far from home, based on shared humanitarian goals and mutual respect.
As Kenyan officers continue their deployment in Haiti, the support offered by the Dominican Republic is expected to play a pivotal role in sustaining morale, operational efficiency, and emergency response capacity.
Conclusion: A Lifeline in a Complex Mission
The Haiti mission remains fraught with challenges—from violent gangs and logistical shortfalls to questions of long-term strategy. But the agreement signed Monday adds a crucial lifeline for the Kenyan contingent, ensuring that the officers leading the charge against chaos in Haiti will not be left without vital support when it matters most.
With gang violence still on the rise and civilian suffering mounting, the world is watching to see whether international partnerships like this one can turn the tide for Haiti—and whether peace, however fragile, can be restored.
