Twenty women officers from the Administration Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team were on Thursday recognised for being among the three contingents of specialised police officers deployed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
The officers were honoured during a ceremony hosted by the leadership of the National Police College Embakasi A Campus to recognise Kenyan police officers who served in the Haiti mission.
Speakers at the event acknowledged that since the deployment of the first contingent, the officers successfully delivered on their mandate with support from the U.S. Government.
Since 25 June 2024, three contingents of specialised police officers have been deployed under the Multinational Security Support Mission, now operating as the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).
In his remarks, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said, “I say this with total conviction and honesty that the Government of Haiti would not have survived were it not for your presence there.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, on his part, paid tribute to the brave and patriotic officers who risked their lives to help restore peace, stability, and dignity in Haiti.
He said their service reflects the professionalism of Kenya’s police service and the country’s deep commitment to promoting peace both domestically and internationally.
“The mission achieved significant milestones, including restoring order, securing key infrastructure, reopening major roads, and enabling humanitarian aid to reach communities in Port-au-Prince,” Murkomen said.
On his part, the Inspector General of the National Police Service (NPS), Douglas Kanja, commended the professionalism, discipline, and human-rights-based conduct demonstrated by Kenyan officers deployed to Haiti.
He emphasised the strong U.S.-Kenya cooperation in counter-terrorism, particularly the support extended to the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU).
The IG acknowledged the U.S. Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) Programme and the SPEAR initiative for enhancing crisis response and diplomatic security.
Inspector General Kanja reaffirmed the NPS’s commitment to professionalism, collaboration, and the promotion of global peace and security.
He also expressed appreciation to the Governments of Kenya and the United States, as well as international partners, for their continued support.
The event was attended by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Susan M. Burns, Deputy Inspector General Kenya Police Eliud Lagat, Deputy Inspector General Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli, and other senior officials from Kenya and the United States.
