The final group of 600 Kenyan police officers is preparing for deployment to Haiti on November 27 as part of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission aimed at stabilizing the Caribbean nation. This contingent, comprising officers from both the Kenya Police and Administration Police Service (APS) units, recently graduated after completing an eight-week intensive training program.

The General Service Unit (GSU) is sending 200 officers, with the remaining officers from the APS, including members of the all-female Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, oversaw the training’s completion at the National Police College Embakasi 'A' Campus. Although the original training schedule was set for 18 weeks, it was condensed to meet urgent deployment needs.

The training covered physical fitness, international relations, specialized weaponry, and close-quarter combat tactics similar to those used by the elite Recce Company. Officers selected for this mission required a minimum of five years of service and proficiency in English.

Kenya has already deployed an initial group of about 400 officers to Haiti, with more troops expected from other nations participating in the mission. Approximately 2,900 troops were promised from 10 countries, though only about 430, primarily from Kenya, have been deployed since the UN-approved mission began in June.

President William Ruto recently discussed the Haiti mission with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, addressing possible collaboration with the United States on the peacekeeping initiative. "We discussed areas of mutual interest… I briefed President Trump on the Kenya-led mission in Haiti and areas of cooperation on this conflict resolution effort," Ruto said.

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously voted last month to extend the mission’s mandate, emphasizing international commitment to restoring stability in Haiti.