The National Police Service (NPS) has given an update on the status of police officers stationed in Haiti.
In a statement on Monday, July 1, Police Inspector General (IG) Japhet Koome said the Kenyan police have been collaborating with Haitian National Police to identify the important areas of operational concerns and conducted patrols.
“Since their arrival in Haiti, our Officers have been working closely with their host, the Haitian National Police, and have so far undertaken strategic mapping of the key areas of operational concerns and conducted several joint patrols within Port-au-Prince,” Koome said.
Koome dismissed rumors that seven Kenyan police have been killed in the ongoing mission in Haiti.
The IG explained that the officers were received well by the Haitians, they are safe and ready to discharge their duty.
“The attention of this office has been drawn to the unfounded, false, unpatriotic, and malicious claims circulating on social media that seven National Police Service Officers have been killed in Haiti,” added the IG.
“We wish to clarify to the public that our Officers left Kenya on June 24, 2024, and were not only received warmly by the great people of Haiti on arrival but are also all safe and ready to discharge their clear and specific mandate.”
Appeal for Support
Additionally, Koome reiterated that the mission of the NPS in Haiti is a noble task for the good of the Haitians.
He further appealed to Kenyans to support the police as they lift Kenya’s national flag high, along with discharging their international policing mandate.
Koome also stated that the NPS remains committed to collaborating with reputable media houses to update the public on the progress of the Haiti Mission.
Also Read: NPS Breaks Silence Over Alleged Death of 7 Kenyan Police in Haiti
Death Rumors
Earlier, NPS dismissed rumors circulating on social media claiming that seven police officers were killed in Haiti.
In a statement on X, NPS flagged a video where TikTok user @princenafmchelsea posted a collection of photos with the caption “7 Kenyan Police reported dead in Haiti.”
NPS attached a screenshot of the clip with a FAKE stamp on it to inform the public that the allegations made in the video were false.
Also Read: Haiti Prime Minister Reveals Kenyan Police Battle Plan Against Gangs
Haiti Mission
More than 200 of the initial group of 400 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on June 25.
Kenya is leading the 2,500-member security force and has established rules of engagement with the Haitian government for the security personnel.
The Kenya police and other security personnel may face strong resistance from the heavily armed gangs that have seized control of the capital and overpowered local law enforcement.
Other countries contributing officers to the mission in Haiti include Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Paraguay, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria, and Mauritius.
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