Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti as part of an international policing force have encountered challenges with their pay, with some officers not receiving their full salaries for two months. The officers, numbering around 400, arrived in Haiti in June to support the multinational security support mission (MSS) funded primarily by the United States.
In response to the payment delays, the MSS issued a statement on August 25 assuring officers that the missing funds would be deposited into their bank accounts promptly. The Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) also confirmed that officers were still receiving their NPS salaries while awaiting the supplemental pay for their MSS duties.
The officers in Haiti, who are restricted from leaving their base during non-working hours, were anticipating additional compensation for their demanding deployment. However, the delay in payments has caused frustration and concern among the officers, especially as they face financial obligations such as school fees and family expenses back in Kenya.
The MSS force is set to expand to 2,500 personnel, with contributions expected from countries like Jamaica, Benin, and Bangladesh. The mission aims to support the Haitian National Police in combating powerful gangs that control a significant portion of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.
Haiti has been grappling with widespread gang violence, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and leaving millions living in fear of constant attacks. The MSS initiative, funded through a UN-managed trust fund with contributions from various countries including the US, Canada, and France, has received substantial financial backing to enhance security efforts in Haiti.
