The U.N.-backed security mission in Haiti is set for a transition, with Chadian troops expected to be deployed as Kenyan police officers gradually withdraw from the mission.
Speaking after a meeting with U.S. embassy officials on March 17, Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Alvarez said new contingents from Chad are currently undergoing training in the United States ahead of deployment.
“These Chadian forces are training in the United States right now. It will not be immediate but will give time for the new forces to arrive and familiarize themselves,” he said.
The transition, Alvarez noted, will be gradual to allow incoming forces time to integrate and adapt to conditions on the ground.
Initial deployments of the new troops are expected to begin in early April this year.
Once fully assembled, the force is projected to comprise up to 5,500 personnel tasked with supporting Haitian authorities in tackling armed gangs that continue to destabilize the country.
The timeline broadly aligns with earlier projections by the United Nations, which indicated that full deployment could be achieved between mid and late 2026.
PS Omollo Welcomes Returning Kenya Police from Haiti Mission
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo welcomed home the second contingent of police officers returning from Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission.
He praised them for their service while paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Speaking during the reception on March 18, PS Omollo described the deployment of 700 officers as historic, noting that Kenya answered the call to help restore peace and stability in the Caribbean nation at a critical time.
“On behalf of the Government, the Ministry, and the people of Kenya, I thank you for answering that call and for serving with courage and professionalism. You are our heroes, and we thank God for bringing you home safely,” PS Omollo said.
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He commended the officers for serving with courage, discipline, and professionalism despite operating in difficult and dangerous conditions far from home.
The PS said the returning officers had upheld the country’s reputation internationally, adding that their commitment and resilience had brought pride to the nation.
Omollo also led a moment of silence in honor of three Kenyan officers who died during the mission, assuring their families of continued government support.
Also Read: Kenya Deploys 230 Specialized Police Officers to Haiti
Trump to Replace Kenya’s Police in Haiti After Failing to Contain Gangs
On August 20, 2025, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Kimberly J. Penland said that the U.S was planning to double the size of the foreign forces deployed in Haiti, with possibly another country, rather than Kenya, leading the new team.
Penland told foreign leaders attending the Organization of American States (OAS) that the U.S. was drafting a resolution to present to the United Nations Security Council to “properly resource” Haiti’s fight against the gangs and to regain control of its territories.
She also thanked Kenya for its dedication, leadership, and support over the past year, and for answering the call to come to Haiti’s rescue at a critical moment.
Penland stated that Kenya demonstrated compassion and courage, putting its people in harm’s way while thousands of miles away from home and preventing a complete collapse of the Haitian state.
