The Haitian National Police (HNP) denied claims that it has a falling out with Kenyan peacekeepers who are part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
In a press release on Saturday, February 22, the HNP denied popular social media posts that claimed Kenyan Commander Godfrey Otunge and Haitian Commander Rameau Normil were at odds.
The Haiti Police Service claims that despite their combined efforts to stop the gangs, a number of critics attempted to divert public attention by spreading untrue claims on social media.
“Many critics try to divert the public’s attention by spreading false allegations through social networks after the Haitian police in the West department intensified operations and interventions aimed at dismantling gang centers,” HNP disclosed.
Therefore, HNP explicitly refutes reports that Rameau Normil, the Commander of the Haitian National Police, is unwilling to work with Godfrey Otunge, the Commander-in-Chief of the MSS.
HNP clarified the situation by saying that its officers collaborated on gang operations with the Kenyan peacekeepers and were creating new plans to combat violence in Haiti.
The HNP continued by urging the public, especially journalists, to exercise caution and not fall for manipulation by those the officers deemed to be troublemakers.
According to the Haitian police, “HNP reaffirms its commitment to combating serious crime in all of its manifestations in order to restore a climate of peace and security throughout the national territory.”
Two weeks after the Kenyan government dispatched an additional 144 police officers, including 24 elite all-female SWAT teams, to the Caribbean country, the first allegations were made.
They arrived months after the administration of President William Ruto sent the third contingent to the Asian nation, increasing the total number of Kenyan police officers stationed in Haiti to 744.
The explanation also came a day after the US government gave 20 more armored personnel carriers to support the peacekeeping effort in Haiti.
The US Department of State stated that the armored vehicles were essential in fighting gang violence in the war-torn nation while verifying their arrival on Thursday, February 20.
According to the US administration, the 20 more armored personnel carriers in Port-au-Prince are intended to support the 1,000 MSS personnel already stationed there and provide security for Haitians and those in the surrounding area.
