In an effort to bolster its security forces, Haiti will be sending 2,000 police officers to Kenya for specialized training. The agreement was reached between Kenyan and Haitian officials on Sunday, May 26.
The contingent of Haitian officers will undergo a two-week intensive course in law enforcement and combat techniques. The training is intended to equip them to better tackle the gang violence that has gripped Haiti, with gang control extending over 80% of the country.
This development comes alongside Kenya’s original plan to deploy 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti. The Kenyan police advance team reached the agreement with Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council to facilitate the training program for Haitian officers.
The Haitian officers are expected to arrive in Kenya imminently and will return to Haiti in mid-June 2024, coinciding with the planned arrival of the first Kenyan police officers.